FNCCI prepares AEC to drive agricultural commercialisation; new co-chair, advisers receive nomination letters

KATHMANDU: The Agro Enterprise Centre (AEC) under Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) will be developed as an institution to integrate agricultural enterprise, investment, technology, innovation and market linkages, FNCCI leaders said on Wednesday.

The announcement was made at a ceremony at the FNCCI secretariat. Nomination letters were handed to the AEC’s co‑chairperson, members and advisers, and speakers urged that agriculture be made the primary foundation of Nepal’s economic transformation.

FNCCI President Anjan Shrestha said, “The AEC has a significant role in developing the agricultural sector as the main foundation of the country's economic transformation.” He added that the centre should act as an effective mechanism for coordinating farmers, entrepreneurs, investors and the market, and warned that farmers have not gained expected benefits because agricultural products are not properly connected to markets.

Shrestha said FNCCI would seek the removal of policy and institutional barriers that hinder investment and entrepreneurship in agriculture, and called for active participation from all committee members to advance the AEC in a result‑oriented and professional manner.

Senior Vice President Sur Krishna Vaidya said modernisation and commercialisation of agriculture are essential for sustainable economic development. He said the AEC should create an environment for new enterprises and job creation by linking farmers’ production with private investment, modern technology and market access.

Vice President for District and Municipality Krishna Prasad Sharma urged the AEC to work with district and municipal chambers across the country to identify and promote local agricultural potential. He said the centre can play a vital role in connecting local production to markets, enhancing collaboration between farmers and entrepreneurs, and making commercial use of local resources.

Treasurer Manish Lal Pradhan highlighted the need for improved financial access, investment security and a favourable business climate to attract investment into agriculture. He said the centre’s programmes should be guided by clear goals and measurable outcomes to turn agricultural potential into business opportunities.

AEC Chairperson Shiva Prasad Ghimire said the sector must move away from subsistence farming towards a commercial, competitive and export-oriented model. “Since about half of Nepal's total population is involved in the agricultural sector and agriculture also makes a significant contribution to the gross domestic product, overall economic prosperity is impossible without transforming the agricultural sector,” he said. He called for development of a complete value chain from production to processing, value addition, branding, packaging and export, and urged measures such as private investment in food processing, cold chains and storage, expanded access to concessional finance, and an agricultural investment summit.

Nomination letters were handed to committee members and advisers, including Rajesh Bhakta Shrestha as co-chairperson of the committee led by FNCCI Central Executive Committee member Shiva Prasad Ghimire. 

Established in 2048 BS, the AEC has worked on policy advocacy, entrepreneurship development and market promotion in the agricultural sector for more than three decades. The new executive committee has set a goal of strengthening the centre as a bridge connecting agricultural enterprise, investment, modern technology and international markets.