Minister for Agriculture and Livestock Development Ramnath Adhikari has urged the Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) to simplify procedures for agriculture loans to make them more accessible for farmers.
In a meeting with NRB Governor Dr. Biswonath Paudel on Sunday, Minister Adhikari emphasized the need for easy financing options for farmers, noting the crucial role of financial institutions in poverty alleviation through agro-based enterprises.
“I request the central bank to ensure effective monitoring of agriculture loans to prevent their misuse,” he said, stressing that loans must be used solely for agricultural purposes. He also called on government-owned banks to expand lending in the agriculture sector in line with NRB guidelines.
Governor Paudel echoed concerns about the ineffective utilization of current agricultural investments. He highlighted that innovation and accountability are essential for farmers to see returns. Sharing his field visit observations, he noted that genuine farmers are often denied grants, while those with paperwork but no field engagement benefit instead.
