Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development

The Nepali government is preparing to reduce the budget size and ministry ceilings for the upcoming fiscal year, with significant cuts planned for ministries focused on production and development. Conversely, budgets for administration and security agencies are expected to increase. Ministry secretaries have indicated that the allocated budgets are insufficient for their proposed projects.

The Veterinary Laboratory in Dhangadhi, Sudurpaschim Province, has been designated as the National Rabies Referral Laboratory. The Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development has tasked the facility with collecting and testing suspected rabies samples nationwide and conducting related research. This expansion broadens the lab's scope from its previous regional focus.

Nepal's agricultural sector faces a widening gap between investment and production, with the government increasing its agro budget by 10.7% annually over the past decade. Despite rising allocations, crop production has fluctuated, and the country is increasingly reliant on imports for staple crops like paddy and maize. This trend is further exacerbated by a decrease in fertile land and challenges like unseasonal rains impacting specific produce.