By A Staff Reporter

Kathmandu, Mar. 18: Policy Research Institute, the Kathmandu-based government think tank, organised a public policy dialogue focused on ‘Foreign Direct Investment in Agriculture: Opportunities and Challenges’ recently.

This dialogue, on a highly-debated theme, was organised amongst farmers’ associations, experts, journalists and government representatives to hear their concerns and ideas and explore policy research areas on this hotly debated issue, the institute said.

The participants suggested taking a cautious and balanced approach to Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in the agricultural sector. A blanket ‘yes’ and a blanket ‘no’ would be unreasonable, stressed the participants. They argued that FDI might not be helpful—and would even contradict the constitutional guarantee of food sovereignty—in the primary agricultural sector, such as farming.

However, FDI might prove useful in other respect, such as in the establishment of technological infrastructure vis-à-vis agriculture.Most of the speakers emphasised that a comprehensive study should be carried out before implementing FDI in agriculture.

No one would stand against agricultural growth. But, its implications should be carefully weighed up against evidences generated by research. Without full knowledge of how FDI would relate to and impact on those engaged in dairy production, poultry farming, the tea and coffee sector and cardamom production, the sectors represented in the dialogue, implementing FDI would be risky, the speakers underscored.

The review of the participants’ response suggested that there is a divided opinion on FDI in agriculture. The division was evident in a ‘flat no’, a ‘selective yes’ and a ‘cautious yes’.