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Agriculture has long been the backbone of Nepal’s economy and a source of livelihood for a majority of its population. We have grown up knowing, studying, writing about Nepal and agriculture in Nepal, described in textbooks as an “agricultural country”. But looking at the uncultivated paddy fields and barren lands, I wonder where the agriculture sector and future of farmers is going. With the advent of agriculture 2.0, a revolutionary paradigm shift is taking place, transforming traditional farming practices into modern, technology-driven approaches. This evolution not only promises to enhance productivity and sustainability but also holds the potential to uplift rural communities, ensuring food security and economic growth for the whole nation. In the context of Nepal, Agriculture 2.0 is poised to bring about a new era of prosperity for its farmers and the agriculture sector as a whole.

Agriculture 2.0, often referred to as “smart farming” or precision agriculture, integrates advanced technologies such as the Internet of Things (IOT), artificial intelligence (AI), data analytics and automation into traditional agricultural practices. This approach allows for real-time monitoring, data-driven decision making, and the optimization of resources like water, fertilizers, and pesticides. In the context of Nepal, where smallholder farmers dominate, adopting Agriculture 2.0 practices can significantly enhance their productivity while also conserving resources.

Nepal faces several challenges in its agriculture sector, including fragmented land holdings, limited access to modern agriculture techniques, unpredictable weather patterns, and the ongoing effects of climate change. These challenges have hampered productivity, leading to low income levels among farmers and contributing to rural-urban migration. Agriculture 2.0 offers innovative solutions that can address these issues by enabling farmers to make informed decisions, mitigate risks, and achieve better yields.

It’s already the end of Shrawan, but some farmers haven’t planted paddy still due to a late entry of monsoon and their dependence on rainfed farming and lack of year-round irrigation facilities. Monsoon normally enters Nepal on June 10 and its withdrawal occurs on September 23. Due to climate change, every year the temperature rises by 0.06 C in Nepal and the monsoon gets delayed. Monsoon enters from eastern Nepal and progresses slowly toward western parts. It reaches Karnali and Sudurpaschim provinces very late. Delayed planting of paddy is one of the reasons for low productivity of rice. Late plantation and harvesting also affects the plantation of subsequent crops, mostly wheat. Delayed wheat planting then declines the yield of wheat. In this way, the whole annual cycle of cropping is affected due to late paddy plantation. 

Nepal has a food deficit problem that is most acute in the mountain and hill districts with annual food shortage for six months or more. The situation could become worse unless agricultural productivity and rural economies are transformed. Adoption of intensive farming throughout the country along with appropriate technological innovation offers promise for such a transformation. It's high time we adopted climate-smart agriculture practices. Some practices that should be adopted are listed below:

Replacing puddled transplanted rice with DSR( direct seeded rice) so that farmers don’t have to wait until monsoon to start planting. DSR can enable farmers of western Nepal to early plant and harvest paddy and increase national rice yield if weed management can be done effectively during the early growing period.

• Rather than expending time, energy, and money on land preparation after rice harvest for wheat plantation, it’s time to guide farmers for the adoption of surface seeding of wheat. It ensures early planting and thus increases wheat production.
• Agroforestry i.e. incorporating multi-use trees with compatible crops like cardamom under uttis, tea under siris, amriso under uttis, ginger and banana under terraces.
• Intercropping and mixed cropping with legumes (soyabean, blackgram, horsegram, pea) and nitrogen-fixing crops (clover and legumes) i.e. maize + soyabean and barley in upland irrigated mid-Hills of Nepal.
• Use of bio fertilizers like Azospirulum (A. lipoferum for Rice and Maize),  Rhizobium, Azolla , Blue green algae
• Use of green manuring crops like dhaincha, sun hemp, cowpea, berseem, siris, titepati, asuro and khirro. It increases the soil organic matter and cuts the fertilizer amount to some extent.
• Use of machinery like zero-till drill, seed cum fertilizer drill, multiple nozzle boom, turbo happy seeder, laser land leveler, conary and rotary weeder. Farmers can own subsidized machinery through farmers’ groups or cooperatives.

Agriculture 2.0 has the potential to revolutionize Nepal’s agriculture landscape, ushering in a new era of productivity, sustainability, and prosperity for its farming communities. Relevant government and non-government agencies should focus on climate-smart agriculture and provide trainings, build infrastructure, establish agriculture service centers and work on capacity building of farmers in improved, climate-resilient agriculture technologies in order to uplift the livelihood of farmers, ensure food security, strengthen the national economy, ultimately leading to a brighter and more resilient future for Nepal’s agricultural sector.

In a democracy, the free press is the fourth estate. It is the duty of the media to disseminate right information to the public and that is what media houses do in democratic countries. Individuals and organizations dissatisfied with media reports can move authorities like the press council and courts if they think that information disseminated thus is misleading. But it is wrong on the part of an unauthorized individual or institution to seek clarification from a media house or its publisher over a news report.

It is illegal on the part of the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) to write directly to Chair of Annapurna Media Network, Capt Rameshwor Thapa, seeking a clarification from him. If CAAN has objections over a news report, it can move Press Council Nepal or the court. It is deplorable on the part of CAAN to demand a direct clarification from the publisher.   

The author is a former information and communications minister and leader of Janata Samajbadi Party, Nepal

The decision of the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) to seek clarification over news published in a daily is an attack on freedoms of speech and expression, so it is condemnable. 

On Aug 18, CAAN sought clarification from Simrik Air Chairman Capt Rameshwar Thapa, who also chairs the Annapurna Media Network (AMN), regarding news materials published by AMN outlets, including the Nepali daily Annapurna Post.

While CAAN’s concern for flight safety is justifiable, the manner in which it has engaged with the media raises important questions about the compatibility of regulatory authority with the principles of press freedom and democratic governance. It also goes against the principle of editorial freedom. It is imperative that the principles of press freedom, enshrined in Nepal’s Constitution, are upheld.

The 2015 Constitution guarantees every Nepali citizen the freedom of expression and thought. Article 17 of the Constitution explicitly protects the press’ right to function independently, question authority, and ensure a transparent democratic society.

While CAAN’s concerns may be rooted in the well-being of air travel, the approach taken to seek clarification has raised concerns about overreach and potential violations of press freedom. The constitutionally-guaranteed rights of freedom of the press should not be overridden by any regulatory body’s actions. 

The CAAN move of seeking clarification seems to be a clear violation of these rights and could be perceived as an attempt to stifle media criticism and accountability. Questions arise whether there exists a legal basis to restrict the publication of opinions, comments, and reports concerning policy errors related to air services. While dissatisfaction with media coverage is a legitimate concern, there are established legal avenues such as the press council and courts for seeking redress.

The media’s role as the fourth estate within the democratic system is to ensure transparency, accountability, and checks and balances. It is not only the watchdog of executive, legislative, and judicial actions, but also a platform for citizens to question government decisions and policies. Thus, the media's ability to question the activities of bodies like CAAN should be safeguarded, especially when matters of public safety and accountability are at stake. If CAAN has any objection to the news content, it should approach Press Council Nepal and other regulatory bodies. 

It is essential to recognize that the editorial discretion for finalizing content rests with the editor. Moreover, it’s noteworthy that not only Annapurna Post but also other prominent national and international media outlets, including the BBC, have reported on the adverse impact experienced by citizens living in remote regions of Nepal due to CAAN’s directives. Regulatory agencies must recognize the role of the media in upholding democratic values, promoting accountability, and fostering public discourse. 

To maintain a delicate equilibrium between regulatory authority and press freedom, open communication, adherence to democratic norms, and a commitment to transparency are essential. In a thriving democracy, the actions of regulatory bodies should withstand public scrutiny without suppressing the media’s right to question and criticize. It is through such respectful engagement that Nepal can uphold democratic principles.

Street vendors staged a demonstration in the Capital on Sunday.

They staged a protest after the Kathmandu Metropolitan City removed the street vendors and small traders without giving them an alternative.

Saying that the street vendors were oppressed, they staged the demonstration in front of the National Assembly Hall in Bhrikutimandap.

They have demanded that the metropolis manage an alternative to carry out business.

During the demonstration, the street vendors carried placards and banners with various slogans like strict laws only to the poor, how to teach children? We are facing difficulties to eke out a hand-to-mouth existence among others.

They also displayed pamphlets comparing the street business of Bangkok and Kathmandu.