Government unveils National Agriculture Policy 2026 to modernize farming sector

August 5, Kathmandu: The Ministry of Agriculture, Forest and Environment has issued the National Agriculture Policy, 2026, aiming to transform Nepal’s agricultural sector into an modern, commercial, competitive, and self-sustaining economic driver.

Formulated in line with Nepal’s federal governance structure, the policy prioritizes food security, food sovereignty, farmer income growth, production scaling, import substitution, and agricultural export promotion.

Commenting on the launch, Minister for Agriculture, Forest and Environment Gita Chaudhary stated that the policy addresses long-standing structural challenges to establish a sustainable and production-oriented agricultural system.

The framework introduces strategic solutions for key issues such as land fragmentation, underutilized land, lack of irrigation and cold storage infrastructure, youth migration, climate change impacts, low productivity, and heavy reliance on imports.

Key focus areas of the policy include achieving self-reliance in basic food staples, promoting agro-industrialization, branding domestic produce for international markets, conserving biodiversity, and adopting digital farming technologies alongside local traditional knowledge. It also prioritizes minimum support prices, subsidized agricultural credit, crop insurance, soil health management, and inclusive mechanization.

The ministry noted that successful execution will rely on coordinated efforts across federal, provincial, and local levels, alongside private sector engagement, legal frameworks, and regular monitoring to establish agriculture as a dignified and profitable profession.