“Start Small, Scale Smart”: Panel Urges Youth to Seize High-Value Agri Opportunities

Panelists at the Nepal Entrepreneurship Forum on Sunday, July 27, emphasised the urgent need for innovation, value addition, and stronger institutional coordination to unlock Nepal’s high-value cash crop potential.

Organised by King’s College and its research wing CERAD in collaboration with New Business Age, the two-day conference brought together academics, entrepreneurs, policymakers, and stakeholders to chart the future of sustainable entrepreneurship in the region.

Moderated by CA Sandesh Paudyal, Adjunct Faculty at King’s College, the panel featured Rajan Sharma (Trade Facilitation and Value Chain Specialist, FNCCI), Anu Joshi Shrestha (Rural Enterprise and Value Chain Specialist), Sabnam Shivakoti (Joint Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development), and Sunita Nhemaphuki (Founder, R&D Innovative Solution).

The discussion focused on challenges and opportunities in Nepal’s agriculture sector, which contributes around 25 percent to the country’s GDP despite employing nearly two-thirds of the population.

Anu Joshi Shrestha urged young entrepreneurs to take a long-term, strategic view of Nepal’s raw materials. “The key is not just to see them as basic products but to recognise their greater potential through value addition, innovation, and scaling,” she said, citing growth industries such as cosmetics, health, and wellness.

Shrestha highlighted packaging, labelling, and certification as “not optional but essential” for global competitiveness and encouraged the use of AI tools to support product standardisation and market readiness.

Rajan Sharma stressed the importance of infrastructure, trade facilitation, and business intelligence for global market access. He called for certification labs that meet international standards and clear Unique Selling Propositions (USPs). “Doing business is different from what you study at Cambridge, Oxford, or King’s College; the real world is competitive,” he said. Sharma advised entrepreneurs to focus on niche products, understand their markets, and scale gradually. “Start small, scale smart, and build character,” he added.

Joint Secretary Shivakoti discussed government policies and rising regional demand for Nepali products. However, she acknowledged gaps in coordination between public institutions and private actors. She advised entrepreneurs to plan strategically and understand export requirements early. Citing a missed opportunity with Dubai-based buyers, she said: “Know which agencies to contact and when. We can only intervene if we’re informed on time.”

She also called for better communication on export-related issues. “We often hear about shipments being blocked—like tea in some countries—but without clear reasons from exporters. If the issue is sanitary or phytosanitary, the ministry can step in, but only if we are told early enough.”

Sunita Nhemaphuki advocated for smart entry points into high-value agriculture. “Don’t jump straight into farming. Start where there are gaps—like packaging and marketing,” she said. She also called for better farmer insurance and post-harvest investment, particularly in storage. “High-value crops require high effort and smart investment,” she added.

The discussion highlighted gaps in certification labs, price stability, and export coordination. Still, there was optimism around products like honey, herbs, and traditional foods—especially if branding and packaging are prioritised.

Panelists urged young Nepalis to be bold but strategic, combining grassroots knowledge with innovation, discipline, and execution. “There is no shortage of resources—only a lack of vision,” they concluded.