KATHMANDU, March 30: The government has announced that it will begin the process of determining the minimum support price (MSP) for major food crops within 30 days. The plan is part of a set of one hundred governance reform programs approved by the Cabinet on March 27. The initiative aims to address the problem of farmers suffering losses due to uncontrolled market price fluctuations when minimum price protection for key agricultural products is absent.
To ensure fair returns for agricultural produce, the program also introduces a rule requiring buyers to settle payments for purchased farm products within a maximum of 25 days. If payments are not made within that period, buyers will be required to pay interest along with the delayed amount, and the government plans to immediately issue the necessary guidelines to enforce this rule.
The reform package also includes measures to strengthen farmers’ market access. A National Agricultural Market Information System will be launched, and daily price updates will be delivered to farmers through SMS or digital platforms. Local governments will be encouraged to organize weekly agricultural markets in every municipality. In addition, a new program titled “One Municipality, One Cold Storage Center” will be introduced to improve the storage and marketing of agricultural products.
Dairy farmers in Chitwan call for timely payment
A feasibility study for establishing cold storage facilities in each district through public–private partnerships will be conducted within ten days. The government has also set a target of issuing soil health cards to farmers operating commercial agricultural farms within three months. Meanwhile, a unified digital registry and verification of landless squatters and unmanaged settlers across the country is expected to be completed within 60 days.
To address the long-standing problem of landless squatters and unplanned settlements within a thousand days, the government will conduct household surveys in coordination with local governments. Clear eligibility criteria—including a cut-off date, income level, and ownership of other assets—will be introduced to identify genuine beneficiaries. Records of public, unregistered, and guthi land will be updated, mapped, and integrated into a GIS-based digital database, and verified squatters will be gradually provided land.
In densely populated urban areas, the government plans to arrange integrated housing projects as an alternative form of rehabilitation. To ensure transparency in land distribution and resettlement, a public dashboard will be launched, while the entire program will be implemented and monitored under the direct supervision of the concerned ministries.
The governance reform agenda also includes steps to protect public land and control encroachment by creating digital records, strengthening monitoring systems, and immediately launching efforts to remove illegal occupation. The government has also proposed a special campaign to strictly prevent new encroachments and clear existing ones.
Furthermore, in accordance with the report of the High-Level Investigation Commission on Nepal Children’s Organization (Haribabu Commission), an investigation into alleged land encroachment and misappropriation related to the organization will begin within 15 days.
