All Nepal Peasants' Federation (Revolutionary Centre) calls for withdrawal of honey import decision

KATHMANDU: All Nepal Peasants' Federation (Revolutionary Centre) has criticised the government’s recent policy decisions and called for immediate reversals and remedial measures.

In a press release, the federation said two‑thirds of Nepal’s population depends on agriculture and that routine policy choices therefore have a serious impact on the economy and livelihoods. It accused the government of making 'continuous decisions against the interests of the country and farmers'.

The federation condemned a decision to allow the import of honey, saying the move contravenes Nepal’s multi‑cropping practices and harms domestic producers. It described the policy as benefiting foreign interests and multinational companies and demanded its immediate withdrawal. The group urged the government to promote indigenous production through programmes including training, coaching and subsidies for beekeepers.

The federation also raised concerns about straw transport during the harvest season. It said straw, used as animal feed and bought in large quantities by livestock farmers and mushroom producers in the Kathmandu Valley and the hills, typically fills a truck with only three to four tonnes. The statement alleged police in various districts have been stopping straw‑transport trucks on the pretext of overloading and demanding bribes of between Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 per truck, effectively halting shipments.

The federation said the alleged actions appear aimed at suppressing straw production in the hills and Kathmandu Valley, depressing prices in Tarai and favouring exports to India, thereby undermining local mushroom, milk and livestock producers. It demanded the immediate punishment of corrupt police personnel and facilitation of straw transport.

The federation urged the government not to make long‑term decisions that are anti‑farmer or anti‑national and warned that, if its demands are not met, farmers will have no option but to launch a nationwide struggle.