Kathmandu — Minister for Agriculture and Livestock Development, Ram Nath Adhikari, has expressed sadness over his inability to ensure timely payment to farmers for their milk, even after 11 months in office.
Speaking at an event organized to mark World Milk Day, Minister Adhikari said the time had come to address the long-standing problems faced by farmers.
According to him, the Dairy Development Corporation (DDC) alone is responsible for disbursing around NPR 1 billion in payments. However, the total outstanding payment is estimated to be between NPR 3 to 4 billion.
“Farmers are loyal, but we are not. If we cannot pay them on time, then our loyalty holds no meaning,” he said.
Minister Adhikari raised concerns that despite his genuine interest in supporting farmers, he has been unable to make progress due to the plans and policies set by the previous government.
“I don’t know whether I will be in office when the next budget is implemented, but the painful memory of not being able to make the payments will stay with me for life,” he added.
He acknowledged that, although there is a provision to clear milk payments within 15 days, it is not being implemented in practice. “It is not enough for us to just speak — we must also make efforts to act,” he emphasized.
Due to the failure to ensure milk payments, employees of DDC have halted the distribution of milk and dairy products.
Minister Adhikari also expressed his commitment to take the necessary steps to resolve the issue.