Kathmandu: Chandra Prasad Dhakal, President of the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI), has emphasized the need for reforms and collaboration to unlock Nepal's agricultural potential.

Speaking at the Nepal Country Investment Discussion held today, Dhakal highlighted agriculture as the backbone of the economy. He stressed that appropriate strategies and programs were essential to maximize its benefits.

Despite agriculture's significant contribution to employment and GDP, Nepal has struggled to achieve the desired success in the sector due to challenges such as limited access to finance, fragmented land ownership, and outdated technology. Dhakal underscored that financial inclusion alone was insufficient and called for a broader approach to strengthening the agricultural value chain, linking farmers to markets, and ensuring access to capital for small and medium-sized agricultural enterprises.

He also stressed the importance of increasing investment in agriculture and rural infrastructure to foster rural entrepreneurship. Additionally, he mentioned his personal efforts in formalizing remittances and expanding financial services in rural areas to empower farmers, women entrepreneurs, and small businesses.

Under FNCCI's leadership, Nepal Development Public Limited Company has been established with the goal of investing in projects and companies to transform Nepal’s economic landscape. Dhakal expressed gratitude to development partners for their support in agriculture and other sectors. He reiterated the need for collaboration between the government, private sector, and other stakeholders to build a prosperous economy.