4 CHAPTER 2
The APP recognized that although there was no scope for increasing land area to increase agricultural production, the numerous agroecological zones provided a basis for comprehensive agricultural development based on link- ing different regions of the country through markets and infrastructure and exploiting production and trade among them based on comparative advan- tage. In particular, the intensification of foodgrain production was empha- sized for the Terai Region, which was expected to boost the demand for high- value agricultural crops produced in the hill and mountain regions. The main objectives of the APP were to accelerate the growth of agricultural income from 0.5 to 3.0 percent, to ensure food security by increasing per capita food availability from 270 to 426 kilograms, and to reduce the regional imbalance in agricultural development.
Targeted growth rates for key agricultural subsectors in the Ninth Plan are given in Table 2.1. The key programs in which these goals were to be achieved were the following: • Cropping intensity and productivity enhancement programs to increase crop yields in areas served by irrigation and road links
• Programs for the development and promotion of high-value agricultural commodities, especially in areas served by roads and small irrigation projects
• Programs for the development of the livestock sector to increase the pro- ductivity and production of major livestock products such as milk, meat, and eggs
• Programs for the promotion of agricultural business to provide the neces- sary impetus to commercialize the agriculture sector
• Irrigation facilities expansion and utilization programs with a focus on tube- well irrigation in the Terai and on small-scale irrigation projects in both Terai and the mountainous regions
Table 2.1 Major agricultural growth targets of Nepal’s Ninth Plan, 1997–2002
Subsector Targeted annual growth rate
Foodgrains 5.18 Cash crops
6.50
Pulses 6.04 Horticulture 3.54 Livestock 6.00 Fisheries 8.76 Agriculture sector as whole
5.33 Source: ANZDEC Limited (2002).
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