Nepal exports fresh vegetables to Qatar

Nepal sent to Qatar the first batch of fresh vegetables produced at Dakshinkali Municipality, Kathmandu. A refrigerated truck carrying the packaged vegetables appeared for an export ceremony held in Kathmandu, and they were flown to Qatar by a Himalaya Airlines flight on 12th September.

“Today’s event not only encourages the farmers of Dakshinkali Municipality, but also inspires farmers across the country,” Mohan Basnet, mayor of the municipality said at the export ceremony.

Director General of the Department of Agriculture Narahari Prasad Ghimire described the export as a motivating step for Nepali farmers, encouraging them to expand their production.

Addressing the export ceremony, Qatar’s Ambassador to Nepal Mishal bin Mohammed Ali Al Ansari noted that Nepal’s organic fruits and vegetables have long been part of Qatar’s market and Qatar is ready to strengthen and expand bilateral relations in the field of agriculture and food security.

The agriculture promotion programme has helped farmers in Dakshinkali to export fresh vegetables to Qatar.The programme has been supported by China Foundation for Rural Development (CFRD).

Wang Xin, chargé d’affaires at the Chinese Embassy in Nepal, commended CFRD’s role in driving sustainable rural development projects in Nepal. He noted that Nepali agriculture plays a pivotal role in this initiative, and China’s poverty alleviation strategies could be applied in Nepal to enhance community development further. Wang emphasised that the export initiative offers a valuable opportunity for Nepali agricultural products to enter the Gulf market.

Zou Zhiqiang, CFRD’s country director, said the foundation has been committed to sharing China’s successful disaster prevention, poverty alleviation, and rural development practices with Nepal since 2015.According to him, some 30 tons of fresh vegetables are scheduled for export to Qatar in one month. A statement issued by CFRD, export to Qatar marks the first successful effort to introduce these practices in Nepal, improving agricultural techniques while connecting farmers to global markets.