January 6: Entrepreneurs involved in the agriculture business have decided to move court against the government’s decision to allow foreign investment in Nepal’s agriculture sector.

The entrepreneurs are ready for a legal battle after the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies on Monday published the decision in the Nepal Gazette.

Organising a joint press conference in the capital on Tuesday, Nepal Dairy Association, Dairy Industries Association, Central Dairy Cooperatives Association, Central Livestock and Animal Husbandry Cooperatives Association and Nepal Fishery Entrepreneurs Association informed that they will file a case against the government decision to open foreign investment in Nepal’s agriculture sector.

They claimed that the decision taken by the government is against the welfare of farmers because the private sector has invested billions of rupees in the agriculture sector. They also denounced the government for taking such vital decision without consulting with the stakeholders.

They added that the government’s decision is likely to cause a major impact on Nepal’s economy.

Chairman of Dairy Industries Association Raj Kumar Dahal confirmed that the stakeholders have decided to challenge the government’s decision in court.

“We decided to move the court after consulting with legal practitioners,” said Dahal.

He also warned that they will stage demonstrations at Maitighar Mandala on Thursday and extend the protest programmes across the country if the government does not withdraw its decision.

The parliament had concluded on March 27, 2019 that the country should not open its agriculture sector for foreign investment. However, taking advantage of political instability at a time when the parliament has been dissolved, the government recently took a wrong decision, according to stakeholders.

The private sector has invested Rs 4 billion in rearing bees, Rs 11 billion in fishery, Rs 30 billion in dairy industry, and 40 billion in poultry farming. The local investment in agriculture sector has provided employment to 1.5 million people, according to government records.

Entrepreneurs involved in the agriculture sector have urged the government not to implement its decision arguing that foreign investment would destroy the country’s agriculture sector.

However, government officials say that the decision taken by the government will be beneficial for the farmers.

Joint Secretary at the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies Urmila KC said opening foreign investment in the agriculture sector will diversify the sector and promote new technologies which in turn will benefit the farmers.