KATHMANDU: Nepal has imported fruits worth Rs 16 billion from different countries over the first 11 months of the current fiscal year.
The latest data from the Department of Customs showed that Rs 16 billion was spent to procure fruits in the country in the period.
According to the department, apple is the country’s most imported fruit. Data showed Rs 6.65 billion worth of apples entered the country in the review period, followed by grapes worth Rs 2.42 billion, bananas worth Rs 1.57 billion, oranges worth Rs 1.25 million, and pomegranates worth Rs 1.09 billion.
Despite being an agriculture-based economy, Nepal has been relying on imports of not only fruits but also vegetables and food grains to meet the domestic demand. Though it has been launching several programs to increase farm output, they have not been much effective. Meanwhile, the Central Bank has put restrictive measures to bring the import bill of the country down.
The government has allocated Rs 55.97 billion for agriculture in the coming fiscal year. Of the total allocation, Rs 10 billion has been set aside for agricultural projects to be rolled out in partnership with local and provincial governments.
Similarly, it has allocated Rs 5.9 billion for agriculture modernization, and Rs 1 billion to provide seed money for farmers’ pension fund.
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