The Center for International Agricultural Research was invited to participate in the China-Nepal Fertilizer Subsidy Policy Exchange Seminar
On November 25, the 2022 China-Nepal Fertilizer Subsidy Policy Online Exchange Seminar was successfully held. The conference aimed to draw experiences from the evolution and reform of China's fertilizer industry policies and provide insights for Nepal's agriculture to achieve "green, resilient, and inclusive" development. Ms. Bi Jieying, Director of the Office of the Center for International Agricultural Research, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, was invited to attend and preside over the seminar. The seminar was jointly initiated by the World Bank, the International Food Policy Research Institute, and relevant Nepalese institutions to promote the Nepal Green, Resilient, and Inclusive Development (GRID) project. Participants unanimously agreed that the malfunctioning agricultural input market, lack of agricultural knowledge and technology, and improper use of fertilizers and other agricultural inputs are hindering agricultural development in Nepal. At the same time, Nepal's current fertilizer subsidy policy is also facing challenges such as fertilizer supply shortages and policy inconsistencies. China has experienced rapid growth and transformation in agricultural and rural economies over the past 40 years, successfully achieving sustainable development in agriculture and rural areas through policy adjustments. Especially from pilot subsidy projects such as soil testing and formula fertilization and actions to achieve zero growth in the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides, can provide valuable lessons for addressing the above-mentioned issues in Nepal. During the meeting, Dr. Chen Zhigang, Senior Researcher at the International Food Policy Research Institute, introduced the basic information of the project. Professor Zhang Weifeng from China Agricultural University and Researcher Jin Shuqin from the Rural Economic Research Center of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs gave keynote speeches on China's fertilizer management policies and trends in China's fertilizer production and use policies, respectively. Subsequent to the presentations, experts and delegates engaged in enthusiastic discussions, exchanging ideas and actively promoting knowledge sharing between Chinese and Nepalese institutions in the fields of fertilizer policies and sustainable agricultural development.