From Fields to Streets: Nepal’s Farmers Cry Out
Summary
Farmers in Nepal's Terai have taken to the streets of Kathmandu protesting subsidy cuts and unpaid dues amid soaring costs, highlighting a deep crisis in the nation's agriculture that threatens food security and livelihoods.
Key Points
- The Nepali government cut sugarcane farmer subsidies by half, exacerbating existing financial strains due to rising input costs.
- Over 1,000 farmers marched from the Terai to Kathmandu demanding restoration of subsidies and payment of Rs 1.6 billion in unpaid dues.
- Farmers protest not only subsidy cuts but also fertilizer shortages, market exploitation, and broken government promises.
- The crisis in agriculture impacts national food security, with potential for widespread economic and social consequences if unresolved.
