Minister for Agriculture and Livestock Development, Ramnath Adhikari, disclosed that Rs107.66 billion in agricultural subsidies has been distributed over the past five years. Speaking at a press conference in Kathmandu on Sunday, Minister Adhikari revealed details of subsidies provided to cooperatives, groups, and firms from the fiscal year 2019/20 to 2024/25.

According to the ministry, the subsidies were categorised into direct and indirect distributions. Direct subsidies, provided through domestically and foreign-funded projects under the ministry, amounted to Rs10.58 billion, were channelled to agricultural cooperatives, groups, and firms via five major projects, including the Prime Minister’s Agriculture Modernisation Project and Nepal Livestock Innovation Project.

Offering details on the key projects and distributions, the ministry reported that Prime Minister’s Agriculture Modernisation Project got Rs6.61 billion distributed to 141,670 cooperatives, groups, and firms; Rani Jamara Gulariya Irrigation Agricultural Programme distributed Rs184.86 million to 21,450 beneficiaries and the Agriculture Sector Development Programme got Rs801.96 million distributed to 27,650 cooperatives and groups.

Similarly, Nepal Livestock Innovation Project distributed a total of Rs1.92 billion to 11,150 beneficiaries and Food and Nutrition Security Improvement Project got Rs1.05 billion distributed to 46,226 cooperatives and firms.

Minister Adhikari said that indirect subsidies, primarily involving fertiliser distribution, amounted to Rs87.35 billion, while Rs4.07 billion was provided through sugarcane farmer incentives. Additionally, insurance premiums for crops and livestock received Rs564.29 million and Rs5.13 billion, respectively.

The minister emphasised transparency, stating that names of subsidy recipients have been published to ensure public accountability and that any misuse of funds would lead to legal action. He urged the public and media to scrutinise the expenditure. “A committee has been formed to investigate subsidy usage, and further details on previously disbursed amounts through phased-out projects will be released soon,” he said.

Minister Adhikari also appealed to provincial and local governments to publish names of entities receiving agricultural subsidies to uphold transparency and build public trust.