Bilateral meeting with H.E. Ramnath Adhikari, Minister for Agriculture and Livestock Development of Nepal

Rome - During the World Food Forum (WFF) 2024 at FAO Headquarters in Rome, FAO Director-General QU Dongyu met with H.E. Ramnath Adhikari, Minister for Agriculture and Livestock Development of Nepal.

Minister Adhikari expressed his gratitude to the Director-General for the warm reception and highlighted that rural and agricultural development are critical priorities for Nepal. He stressed Nepal's strong focus on food security and its commitment to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Additionally, the Minister underscored Nepal's interest in climate finance and biodiversity sectors, with sustainable agriculture being a central objective. Nepal is actively pursuing agrifood transformation and is seeking technical support from FAO in this process.

The Minister also thanked FAO for its support to smallholder farmers and in strengthening agrifood value chains. He emphasized the need for FAO's assistance in supporting mountain agriculture, which is vital for Nepal's rural communities.

The Director-General expressed his appreciation for Nepal's leadership in promoting agricultural development and the agrifood transformation within the country. He recognized Nepal's vast potential in agriculture, particularly in producing competitive products such as potatoes, highland vegetables, and other crops. The Director-General encouraged Nepal to focus on producing high-quality food and emphasized the importance of strategic planning. He also urged Nepal to embrace innovation, noting that improving transportation and reducing food loss are crucial challenges. Finally, Director-General encouraged Nepal to make full use of FAO’s flagship platforms to further strengthen collaboration in key areas of work.