KATHMANDU: The absence of a plant quarantine facility at the main customs office in Siraha, has significantly impacted revenue collection and trade activities.
Chief Customs Officer Toyanath Sapkota highlighted that the lack of quarantine services has hindered the import and export of vegetables, food grains, fruits, and other agricultural products between Nepal and India.
“While over Rs 10 million in monthly revenue is generated here, the absence of plant quarantine services complicates agricultural trade and contributes to illegal import and export activities,” Sapkota said.
The situation has left traders and farmers struggling, as goods vehicles often queue for hours due to delayed inspections.
This has not only discouraged traders but also disrupted the flow of goods, particularly affecting industries reliant on food, oil, flour, grains, and bakery products.
Chief District Officer Basudev Dahal emphasized that the absence of plant quarantine services, which are crucial for pesticide inspections and controlling revenue evasion, is a pressing issue.
“Ninety percent of customs revenue comes from agricultural imports, and the lack of a quarantine service significantly hampers operations,” Dahal said.
Businessmen have been forced to reroute goods through customs offices in Biratnagar and Jaleshwor, leading to increased transportation costs and price hikes.
Bikash Sarada, Chairman of the District Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Siraha, expressed frustration over the prolonged issue.
“Establishing a plant quarantine here would triple revenue collection and alleviate the burden on traders,” he said.
Efforts to resolve the issue date back to October 2021, when a temporary quarantine contact point was proposed.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development had instructed the Plant Quarantine and Pesticide Management Center to deploy technical staff from existing quarantine offices in Krishnanagar, Bhairahawa, and Jaleshwor to customs offices in Siraha, Maheshpur, and Suthauli.
However, implementation has faced delays despite repeated correspondence from the Customs Department and related agencies.
Chief Customs Officer Sapkota reiterated the urgent need for plant quarantine facilities to streamline trade, enhance revenue collection, and support local agricultural businesses.
The prolonged absence of such a service has exacerbated challenges for the customs office and the broader trading community in the region.
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