Kathmandu, September 21
A parliamentary committee has directed the government to make the working approach of bodies under the Nepal Agricultural Research Council (NARC) more results-oriented and focused on local needs.
Ashok Kumar Chaudhary, chairperson of the Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee, issued the directive during the committee’s meeting held at Singha Durbar on Monday.
He said policy initiatives would be taken to ensure the effective use of research findings and the transfer of technology.
The meeting discussed the priorities of research bodies under NARC, human resource management, infrastructure development and budget utilisation.
Chairperson Chaudhary said the agricultural research system would be restructured based on suggestions received from regional directors and findings from field research.
During the discussion, Chaudhary stressed that research activities should not be limited to paperwork but should be linked to farmers’ needs.
“We need to give high priority to the use of research findings and technology transfer. We are preparing to provide the ministry with necessary policy directives while incorporating the suggestions made at today’s meeting,” he said.
Committee members said the lack of inter-institutional cooperation had prevented research activities from progressing as expected. They called for greater attention to the proper mobilisation of resources and capacity development of human resources.
The committee directed NARC to broaden the scope of its research and focus on addressing agricultural problems at the local level.
