PM pledges to fix organic certification of agro products

By A Staff Reporter, Kathmandu, July 24: Prime Minister Balendra Shah has instructed the concerned government authorities to establish a system within Nepal for the certification of organic agricultural products.

In a meeting with the office-bearers of the Organic Association Nepal, the umbrella organisation representing organic agriculture entrepreneurs, at the Prime Minister's Office on Thursday, he responded to their demands including organic certification and subsidy for it. 

During the meeting, the association's representatives pointed out that obtaining international certification for organic products is extremely costly, and urged the government to establish, under its oversight, an internationally recognised certification agency in Nepal. 

They also noted that the government's subsidy covering up to 75 per cent of the cost of international organic certification had been discontinued, despite the high cost of the certification process. 

"They requested that the subsidy be reinstated. Prime Minister Shah expressed support for continuing the subsidy until an internationally recognised certification agency meeting global standards is established in Nepal," read a statement from the Prime Minister's Secretariat. 

He also said the government would take the necessary measures to promote organic agriculture while controlling the indiscriminate use of chemical fertilisers and pesticides.

Responding to the request of the entrepreneurs that the government provide subsidies for the production of organic fertilisers, PM Shah instructed the relevant authorities to introduce support grants for private industries and cooperatives engaged in producing organic fertilisers. 

He also expressed support for extending to organic fertilisers the same facilities and incentives currently available for chemical fertilisers, whether for their production or purchase, read the statement.

The Prime Minister further noted that export subsidies for organic products had been suspended for the past two years. He said the relevant ministry was preparing the necessary operational procedures to resolve the issue through appropriate legal measures.

The meeting was attended by association's President Deepak Baskota, General Secretary Shanta Baskota Koirala, other association members, Gorkha Tea Estate Chairman Udaya Chapagain, Himalayan Shangrila Tea Factory Chairman Kamal Mainali, and Annapurna Organic Agro Industry Chairman Parshuram Acharya.

Following the meeting, Baskota said that since the discussions were held in positive manner and PM Shah was sincere, the entrepreneurs were hopeful of positive measures in the days to come.