Banking Khabar / Farmers in Nepal continue to struggle to receive timely payments for their agricultural products, including milk, vegetables, meat, eggs, and sugarcane. Many are forced to protest just to get paid for their work.
To address this issue, the government has introduced a new policy requiring buyers to pay farmers within 25 days. If payments are delayed, buyers will have to pay interest. The policy aims to ensure fair pricing and timely payment for farmers.
However, the situation on the ground remains difficult. Even government-owned Dairy Development Corporation (DDC) has failed to pay farmers on time and currently owes around NPR 600 million. Payment delays of three to six months have been reported in districts like Chitwan and Kavrepalanchok.
Farmers say they are struggling to survive, often taking loans just to feed their livestock and support their families. Despite past agreements to clear dues, payments have not been made as promised.
While farmer groups have welcomed the new 25-day payment rule, they stress that proper implementation is key. Experts also warn that without monitoring and enforcement, the policy may not be effective.
Meanwhile, dairy industry representatives argue that strict enforcement could create cash flow problems and may even lead to reduced milk purchases, which could further harm farmers.
The government has acknowledged the issue and is studying how to implement the policy effectively. However, the lack of proper data and tracking systems remains a major challenge.
