Prosperity and Job Creation Impossible Without Commercialization of Agriculture: Birendra Basnet

Birendra Basnet, the operator of Arju Rice Mill, has stated that the commercialization of the agricultural sector is an essential condition for Nepal's prosperity and job creation.

In a conversation regarding the challenges in Nepal's agricultural sector, he highlighted the historic political transformation in Nepal and the peaceful transfer of power through the ballot box as a golden opportunity in world history. He emphasized that the primary goals now must be good governance and economic transformation.

Basnet argued that to move the country forward on the foundation of zero corruption and a robust governance system, there is no alternative but to replace subsistence farming with a commercial agricultural system.

Depicting the country's current situation, Basnet presented data showing that although 60% of the population is still dependent on agriculture, only 18% are engaged in commercial farming. He stated that the remaining 42% of farmers are still limited to subsistence farming, leaving them essentially underemployed. He claimed that equitable prosperity cannot be achieved in the country until these 42% of farmers are guided toward commercialization and their standard of living is raised.

Noting that the conclusions of top economists and experts also center around job creation, he stressed that agriculture must be made the main economic pillar. Basnet pointed out the need for the state to introduce concrete programs to commercialize agriculture, claiming that "Arju Rice Mill," which he operates, has already presented a successful example of this.

He mentioned that despite starting on a small scale, Arju Rice Mill has established and proven the formula for how agriculture can be led down a commercial path. He expressed confidence that this agriculture-based model will solve the country's unemployment problem and realize the dream of prosperity.