An event on interprovincial cooperation in the agriculture sector has underscored the need for stronger coordination among provinces to address common challenges and improve productivity.

The programme, organised by the Federalism and Localisation Centre in Lalitpur, brought together officials from provincial ministries of land management, agriculture and cooperatives, along with researchers. Khim Lal Devkota, chair of the centre, presented a paper stressing the importance of interprovincial learning, drawing on best practices across sectors.

Participants discussed achievements, challenges and opportunities, sharing province-specific experiences as areas for collaboration.

Madhusudan Poudel, agriculture and livestock development minister of Bagmati Province, said local employment in agriculture remains crucial but is undermined by cheaper cross-border products. He called for subsidies on electricity for cold storage and prioritisation of domestic production.

Manjari Shakya Bajracharya, deputy mayor of Lalitpur Metropolitan City, said agricultural land is shrinking while consumption is rising, urging protection of farmland and better use of data.

Hari Prasad Pandit, senior agriculture-economic expert and planning department head of Lumbini Province, said the province has filled only 38 percent of required posts, while investment in agriculture has declined.

Speakers agreed that better coordination and context-specific policies are essential to revitalise the sector.