By A Staff Reporter

Kathmandu, Jan. 29: Minister for Agriculture and Livestock Development Ghanashyam Bhusal Tuesday organised a gathering of journalists writing on agriculture issues but made no remark on the contemporary issues and his future plans and programmes.
Although all the journalists gathered were eager to hear about the works that Minister Bhusal had started and planned in his ministry in the last two months, he made them only disappointed.
Minister Bhusal had assumed his office on November 21, 2019.
Bhusal said that he was still holding intensive discussions with concerned stakeholders to acquire detail information on the sector and its problems.
Responding to the reluctance of Minister to share his measure to bring about reforms in the ailing agriculture sector, one of the journalists cracked a joke saying that the term of his office would complete by the time he understands problems facing the agriculture sector.
Journalists asked about the contemporary issues like the due payment of sugarcane farmers by sugar mills, compensation to the farmers who had sowed Garima variety of rice, import of powdered milk among others, but the Minister did not make any comment on the issues.
Journalists’ tried to make Minister Bhusal to speak saying that the farmers and all peoples were expecting much from him considering his image of an ideological leader. Still, he maintained his silence.
One message that Minister Bhusal clearly sent by keeping silent was that he would not thwart the expectation of farmers and people as well while serving as Minister for Agriculture and Livestock Development. In the meeting, Minister Bhusal carefully listened to journalists’ suggestion on the improvement of the agriculture sector.
Journalists urged Bhusal to introduce a policy in attracting youths in agriculture and retain them, stop the trend of leaving agriculture land barren, on effective utilisation of agriculture subsidies and timely management of seeds and fertilisers.
Other suggestions of journalists included making the ministry media-friendly, improving data base in the ministry and departments, enhancing access of farmers to agricultural technology and technicians, supporting journalists to enhance their technological know-how on agriculture issues among others.