Several cooperators from India were in Kathmandu this week to attend the general assembly of NEDAC –the Network for the Development of Agricultural Cooperatives in Asia and the Pacific.
Prime Minister of Nepal KP Sharma Oli who was the chief guest said on this occasion agricultural development could generate immense employment opportunities. Nepal a country of mountains and rivers offers huge opportunities for fish, honey and several other agricultural products.”
“NEDAC is a unique regional forum linking 21 apex cooperative organizations in 12 countries. It was set up in 1991 by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)’s Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific, the International Cooperative Alliance (ICA) and the International Labour Organization (ILO) on the recommendation of the 1990 ICA regional conference of cooperative ministers’ says its website.
Nepal media reports “On the occasion, a workshop on ‘herbal medicinal plants, honey and cold water fish’ was jointly organised by NEDAC, National Cooperative Federation, National Cooperative Development Board, National Agriculture Cooperative Central Federation and National Cooperative Bank.”
NEDAC sensitizes governments in the region to the need for a key role for agricultural cooperatives in promoting agricultural and rural development to ensure rural food and livelihood security for hundreds of millions of people in Asia and the Pacific.
Vasudha Mishra, NEDAC chairperson, said cooperative organisations were founded to provide market place to farmers and to uplift the occupational standards in the Asian countries.
Others present on the occasion from India included N Satyanarayan, CE of NCUI and Balu Aiyer, Regional Director ICA A-P, and others.