Kathmandu, 31 Jul: CPN-UML General Secretary Shankar Pokharel has argued that the growing detachment of the younger generation from agriculture is creating challenges in the sector.
Speaking at the launch of a month-long blood donation campaign organized by the National Youth Association Nepal in Kathmandu on Thursday, he said that more and more young people in Nepal are turning away from farming and choosing to migrate abroad.
“In recent times, as the younger generation distances itself from agriculture, it has started to create certain problems,” he said. “Especially in the hill regions, where land is being left uncultivated and youth are compelled to go abroad for employment, we must commit to changing this situation.”
Pokharel stressed that if youth can be engaged in agriculture, many could find employment within the country. He highlighted that agriculture is the sector with the greatest potential to provide jobs to a large portion of Nepal’s population and added that it could involve up to 70% of the people in agricultural work.
“Our society has traditionally been subsistence-based agriculture, which is why the new generation has not been able to connect with farming,” he said. “Now, how to engage the new generation in agriculture must become a common focus of the youth movement going forward.”
Highlighting the importance of agriculture as a key driver of prosperity for any country, Pokharel said, “The development of agriculture lays the foundation for prosperity. The growth of industries, tourism, social services, and other sectors all depend on the transformation of the agricultural sector.”
He argued that if Nepal fails to transform its agriculture sector, which employs the majority of the population, the country’s economic development will face significant challenges.
General Secretary Pokharel also emphasized that no matter how much technology advances, life will remain difficult without sufficient food availability.
He further noted that the government is working on various plans to address the drought conditions affecting the Madhesh Province.
