KATHMANDU: Minister for Agriculture and Livestock Development, Dr Beduram Bhusal, has said 1.3 million hectares of cultivable land was left barren in the country.

Minister Bhusal stressed the need for utilizing the cultivable land for augmenting production.

He said that the forthcoming annual budget and policies would ensure incentives to farmers.

“Agriculture is the backbone of the national economy. But, this sector is ignored due to numerous problems facing it,” he said, adding that an additional budget is essential in the agriculture sector.

According to him, out of the total Rs 51 billion budget allocated to Agriculture Ministry, a huge chunk (Rs 31 billion) goes to buy chemical fertilizer, while Rs 12 billion at local and provincial levels, and Rs 8 billion to the government employees.

So, extra budget is required to assist farmers and develop the agriculture sector, he underscored.