November 11: Nepal’s dependence on imported fruits and vegetables has been increasing in the recent days. This is evident from the fact that the country imported fruits and vegetables worth Rs 14 billion in the first three months of the current fiscal year 2019/20.

According to the data provided by the Department of Customs, this figure is 20 percent more than the import during last fiscal year.

The country had imported fruits and vegetables worth Rs 11.80 billion during the first three months of last fiscal year2018/19. The import figures stood  at Rs 8.96 billion in FY 2017/18, according to the department.

During the review period, Nepal imported potatoes worth Rs 1.92 billion, onion worth Rs 1.72 billion, ginger worth Rs 900 million and tomatoes of Rs 120 million. Likewise, other major imports included apples (Rs 1.88 billion), grapes (Rs 690 million), mangoes (Rs 310 million), bananas (Rs 290 million) and coconut (Rs 160 million).

On the other hand, the export of fruits and vegetables from Nepal has decreased instead. Nepal exported fruits and vegetables worth Rs 490 million only during the review period.

The department informed that Nepal imports fruits and vegetables mainly from China, India and Bangladesh. Besides, Nepal also brings in such products from Thailand, Namibia, the Netherlands, Indonesia, South Korea among others.

Meanwhile, experts said that the grants and subsidies provided by the government to the farmers have proved to be ineffective. Former Secretary Puroshattam Ojha said that the pesticide residue tests have also not been able to stop the massive import of fruits and vegetables from abroad.

Dr Posh Raj Pandey, chairman of South Asia Watch on Trade, Economics and Environment (SAWTEE), said that the rise in import of fruits and vegetables at a time when more and more youths have shown interest in farming clearly indicates that Nepal has become heavily dependent on these edible products.

He suggested the government to increase productivity of fruits and vegetables that suit the soil of Nepal to reduce dependence on foreign countries for such products.

The Economic Survey of 2018/19 mentions that the total production of fruits and vegetables in Nepal is 53,28,000 metric tons. The production of fruits had increased by 14.16 percent last year compared to the previous year while the vegetable production increased by 1.86 percent.