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Agriculture and agribusiness

कृषि तथा कृषि व्यवसाय

Farming is still about a quarter of Nepal's economy and the biggest employer, yet Nepal now spends hundreds of billions of rupees a year importing food. That gap is the opening for young people: commercial vegetables, poultry, dairy, fish, high-value crops like cardamom, tea and coffee, and processing. Government money exists (subsidised loans, grants, insurance) but rules and rates change often, so check each one at your local agriculture office before you plan around it.

Research as of 2026-10. Fees, rules and loan terms change often. Items marked Check rest on secondary sources, so confirm them with the office or on its website before you pay or sign anything.

The market today

Agriculture contributed about 24 percent of GDP in FY 2025/26 according to the Economic Survey, but growth was weak at about 1.6 percent, down from about 3 percent the year before. Most estimates say well over half of working people still depend on farming, though an up-to-date official employment share was not found in this research. Food imports have grown into a very large bill: about Rs 434 billion last fiscal year by one newspaper summary of customs data, led by edible oil, with vegetables (about Rs 38 billion) and rice and paddy (about Rs 40 billion) also large. Cheap duty-free Indian produce, fewer people working on farms because of migration, and low productivity are the main causes. The same pressures create room for local producers who can grow reliably, store, grade and sell directly to buyers.

  • Agriculture was about 24 percent of GDP in FY 2025/26 (non-agriculture 76 percent), with agriculture growth estimated at 1.58 percent versus 3.05 percent the year before.en.himalpress.com (opens in a new tab)Check
  • NRB, using National Statistics Office data, reports FY 2025/26 shares of agriculture 24.03 percent, industry 14.16 percent and services 61.81 percent.b360nepal.com (opens in a new tab)Check
  • Employment: the Nepal Labour Force Survey reportedly put the share of people engaged in agriculture at about 60 percent in 2017/18, down from about 74 percent in 2008. Commentary in 2026 still says nearly three in five economically active people work in farming. No newer official figure was found.fncci.org (opens in a new tab)Check
  • Food imports were about Rs 434 billion in the last fiscal year: crude edible oil about Rs 168 billion (much of it refined and re-exported to India), vegetables about Rs 38 billion, rice and paddy about Rs 40 billion, maize about Rs 12 billion (mostly for animal feed). Dairy is bundled with live animals and poultry at about Rs 26 billion.kathmandupost.com (opens in a new tab)Check
  • In FY 2024/25 customs data reported by the press, rice imports jumped to about 165 million kg worth about Rs 10.8 billion, from about 40 million kg the year before, with paddy about Rs 20 billion on top. Press attributes this partly to removal of duties and advance tax.myrepublica.nagariknetwork.com (opens in a new tab)Check
  • Large (black) cardamom exports were about 3,989 tonnes worth Rs 7.18 billion in the first 11 months of FY 2024/25, with India taking over 99 percent. A later report says value hit a record of about Rs 12 billion in the first 11 months of FY 2025/26.en.himalpress.com (opens in a new tab)Check
  • Tea exports through the eastern border rose roughly 32 to 40 percent in FY 2024/25 (Kakarbhitta customs reported about Rs 4.2 billion of tea for the year). This is one border point, not a national total.b360nepal.com (opens in a new tab)Check
  • Dairy imports remain a policy issue: Nepal banned several Indian dairy products in February 2024 and later lifted part of the ban in 2025. Value-added dairy imports were estimated by one columnist at about Rs 13 billion a year, which is a rough figure.kathmandupost.com (opens in a new tab)Check
  • About 2.5 million farmers were enrolled in the government Farmer Registration System, run through local governments, which is meant to decide who gets grants, fertiliser and seed. The agricultural population was put at about 4.13 million people according to press coverage of the 2021 agriculture census, so enrolment was incomplete.english.onlinekhabar.com (opens in a new tab)Check
  • The FY 2083/84 (2026/27) agriculture budget is reported at roughly Rs 47 to 51 billion, lower than the Rs 57 billion of the year before, with fertiliser taking over half. A pilot would give farms investing at least Rs 20 million up to 40 percent support, paid back over four years at 10 percent a year. Crop and livestock insurance premium support is reported at Rs 1.54 billion.english.ratopati.com (opens in a new tab)Check

What drives demand

  • A growing food import bill gives local producers room to replace imports of vegetables, rice, maize, eggs and dairy.
  • Remittance income raises spending on meat, eggs, milk, fruit and processed food.
  • Growing towns and Kathmandu Valley create steady demand for fresh vegetables, eggs, chicken and milk.
  • Export demand, mainly from India, for large cardamom and tea, plus a small but growing specialty market for coffee, honey and organic products.
  • Government support: subsidised agriculture loans, premium support for crop and livestock insurance, and grants for commercial farms and storage.
  • Many farm workers have left for jobs abroad, so farms that use machines and fewer workers can win.

Challenges

  • Cheap duty-free Indian produce undercuts local prices, especially for vegetables, rice and dairy.
  • Prices swing hard: a poultry or vegetable glut can wipe out a season's profit.
  • Fertiliser shortages at planting time and unreliable irrigation.
  • Weak cold chain and rural roads cause large post-harvest losses.
  • Disease risk such as bird flu can destroy a poultry farm overnight.
  • Land is fragmented and tenant farmers often cannot access subsidies that require a land ownership certificate.
  • Subsidy rules and agency names change often; a programme can end or be rebuilt without much notice.

Where in Nepal

  • Terai and inner Terai (Chitwan, Nawalparasi, Jhapa, Morang, Kailali, Kanchanpur, Banke): rice, maize, commercial poultry and hatcheries, fish ponds, large-scale vegetables.
  • Kathmandu Valley fringe and nearby hills (Kavre, Dhading, Nuwakot, Makwanpur): vegetables, dairy, poultry and farms that supply Kathmandu by road.
  • Eastern hills (Ilam, Panchthar, Taplejung, Sankhuwasabha, Terhathum): large cardamom and orthodox tea.
  • Gandaki and western hills (Kaski, Lamjung, Gulmi, Palpa, Syangja): coffee, citrus, kiwi, milk, off-season vegetables.
  • Karnali and far west hills: apple, high-value herbs, organic and niche products, though transport remains the main limit.

Business and work ideas

Commercial vegetable farming (tunnel or open field)

medium risk

Grow tomatoes, cucumber, capsicum, cauliflower and leafy vegetables near a town or a collection centre. The import bill for vegetables is large, so supplying hotels, schools and vegetable wholesalers directly is realistic.

Skills
Crop planning, Drip irrigation, Pest and nutrient management, Grading and packing, Negotiating with buyers
Suits
Someone with access to leased or family land near a road and a market, and willing to work every day.
Note
No reliable current cost per tunnel or per ropani was found. Get quotes from the local Agriculture Knowledge Centre and tunnel suppliers. Price crashes during peak season are the main risk, so sign buying agreements early.

Poultry (layer eggs or broilers) and hatchery supply chain

high risk

Run a small layer or broiler shed, or supply the chain around it (feed shop, day-old chick agent, egg collection and delivery). Poultry is one of the fastest-cycle farm businesses, but it is exposed to disease and price swings.

Start-up cost
NPR about 10 lakh for a 1,000-bird starter farm in one Nepali business plan; real costs depend heavily on shed, layer or broiler choice and district
Skills
Biosecurity, Feed and vaccination schedules, Record keeping, Marketing eggs and meat
Suits
Someone with some savings or a bank loan, a veterinary technician or mentor nearby, and a stable buyer.
Note
The single 10 lakh figure is from an undated business plan and one farmer's account; treat it only as an order of magnitude. A bird flu outbreak or price crash can cause total loss, so insure the flock and keep a cash reserve.

Dairy (cattle or buffalo) and milk collection

medium risk

Keep a few improved cows or buffaloes and sell milk to a dairy or cooperative, or run a collection centre or small cheese and curd unit. Domestic milk supply is not enough for demand and import of value-added dairy is high.

Skills
Animal feeding and breeding, Basic animal health, Milk hygiene, Cooperative dealing
Suits
Someone with fodder land, family labour and a dairy or cooperative within reach by road.
Note
Cost per animal and per shed was not found in a reliable source; get quotes at the nearest Veterinary Hospital and Livestock Service Expert Centre. Milk price disputes between dairies and farmers are a recurring issue.

Fish farming (pond culture)

medium risk

Raise carp, tilapia or trout depending on climate in ponds, tanks or raceways. Fish is an import-substituting product and local governments often co-fund ponds.

Skills
Pond preparation and water quality, Fingerling sourcing, Feeding, Harvest and marketing
Suits
Someone with water and land, mostly in the Terai or river valleys.
Note
No sourced cost figure was found. Local fisheries or livestock offices can give pond-size and cost estimates for your district.

High-value export crops: large cardamom, orthodox tea, coffee

medium risk

Plant cardamom in the eastern hills, tea in Ilam and Jhapa, or coffee in the central and western hills. Cardamom export value reached a record in FY 2025/26 and tea exports rose strongly in FY 2024/25, but cardamom and tea are mainly sold to India so you depend on one buyer country.

Skills
Perennial crop management, Drying and primary processing, Quality grading, Cooperative or group marketing
Suits
Landowners in suitable hills who can wait 2 to 4 years for the first full crop.
Note
Long wait before income, and prices move with the Indian market. Cost data was not found; ask the district Agriculture Knowledge Centre.

Mushroom, honey and bee products, kiwi and fruit niches

medium risk

Small-footprint businesses that can start on family land: oyster mushroom in a shed, beekeeping for honey, or kiwi and other fruit in the hills. They suit quality and branding more than volume.

Skills
Technical training, Hygiene and grading, Packaging and branding, Social media and local retail
Suits
Young people with a small plot, short training, and an interest in selling to shops, hotels or online.
Note
No reliable startup cost was found for these. Many municipalities fund short trainings and starter kits; ask the local agriculture section.

Agro and food processing (milling, spices, pickles, dairy products, dried fruit)

medium risk

Buy raw produce locally and process it: rice and flour milling, spice grinding, jams and pickles, cheese and ghee, dried fruit, packaged honey. A processing business needs a food licence from the food technology and quality control department and usually a small industry registration.

Skills
Food safety, Machinery operation, Costing and labelling, Sales and distribution
Suits
Someone with some capital or a bank loan and willingness to deal with licensing.
Note
Machinery and licence costs vary by product. A cottage and small industry registration is needed first; fees were not found in an official source.

Cold storage, collection centres and agro-trading

high risk

Buy from farmers, grade, store and deliver to wholesalers, hotels and retailers. Cold stores can earn from rent and trading, but many publicly funded ones were built without checking whether they would be used.

Skills
Logistics, Quality grading, Cash management, Farmer relationships
Suits
Someone with working capital and business skills rather than land.
Note
Cold storage carries large fixed costs and electricity bills. Check for a confirmed buyer base before building.

Farm services: veterinary technician, agrovet shop, input dealer, farm machinery rental

low risk

Sell seed, medicine and feed, give vaccination and advice, or rent tractors, tillers and sprayers. This suits people with a JTA or diploma and low capital.

Skills
Animal or plant health, Customer trust, Record keeping
Suits
CTEVT graduates and farm service workers with a clear catchment area. Animal health service businesses need registration with the relevant council.
Note
A veterinary or livestock service business must register with the professional council; confirm the exact requirement with the Department of Livestock Services.

Step by step

  1. Pick a product and test it small

    Decide on one product and one buyer before spending on land or sheds. Visit your local agriculture section or Agriculture Knowledge Centre to learn what grows well locally and what is already oversupplied. Do a short training first and run a small trial.

    Where
    Municipality or rural municipality agriculture section; Agriculture Knowledge Centre; Veterinary Hospital and Livestock Service Expert Centre
    Level
    local
    Time
    1 to 3 months

    moald.gov.np (opens in a new tab)Check

  2. Secure the land

    Own the land or sign a written lease. A lease should state the area, the years, the rent, who owns improvements such as sheds and tunnels, and what happens at the end. Many subsidies and loans need a land ownership certificate or a registered lease, and tenants often get excluded, so confirm before you invest.

    Where
    Land Revenue Office for registered leases; ward office; municipality
    Level
    local
    Documents
    Land ownership certificate (lalpurja) of the owner, Written lease agreement signed by both parties, Citizenship certificate of both parties
    Time
    1 to 4 weeks

    nepjol.info (opens in a new tab)Check

  3. Get a ward recommendation

    Ask your ward office for a recommendation letter confirming your residence and that you are running or planning a farm. Banks, the municipality and the cottage industry office commonly ask for it.

    Where
    Ward office of your municipality or rural municipality
    Level
    local
    Documents
    Citizenship certificate, Land or lease papers, Application letter
    Time
    1 to 3 days

    moald.gov.np (opens in a new tab)Check

  4. Register as a farmer with your local government

    Enrol in the Farmer Registration System through your local government agriculture section. Farmer registration is the way the government decides who gets fertiliser, seed and grants, and the programme sorts farmers by size.

    Where
    Municipality agriculture section
    Level
    local
    Documents
    Citizenship certificate, Land details (ownership or lease), Production details
    Time
    A few days, depending on when your municipality is enrolling

    Do it online (opens in a new tab)english.onlinekhabar.com (opens in a new tab)Check

  5. Register the farm or firm

    Register the enterprise so it can open a bank account, get a PAN and apply for loans and grants. Farm and agro-processing units are normally registered as industry (micro, cottage or small) at the local government or provincial Cottage and Small Industry office, or at the Department of Industry for larger units. Which office handles which size depends on provincial and local law, so confirm the office for your capital size.

    Where
    Municipality industry or cottage section, provincial Cottage and Small Industry office, or Department of Industry (doind.gov.np); the Office of the Company Registrar if you form a company
    Level
    local
    Documents
    Citizenship certificate, Ward recommendation, Land or lease papers, Business plan or project details, Passport photos
    Time
    1 to 3 weeks

    Do it online (opens in a new tab)leap.unep.org (opens in a new tab)Check

  6. Get a PAN and open a business bank account

    Register with the Inland Revenue Department for a PAN (or VAT if you pass the threshold) and open a business account. Buyers, banks and grant programmes all want a PAN.

    Where
    Inland Revenue Office or online; a commercial bank or cooperative
    Level
    federal
    Documents
    Citizenship certificate, Registration certificate, Rental or ownership proof of business address
    Time
    1 to 5 days

    Do it online (opens in a new tab)ird.gov.np (opens in a new tab)Check

  7. Tell the local livestock or agriculture office and follow animal health rules

    For animals, register or inform the local livestock service office and follow vaccination and disease reporting. The Animal Health and Livestock Services Act covers animal disease control, drugs and quarantine; no general farm registration rule was found in it, so ask your local livestock office what paper they want. Slaughterhouses and meat shops need a licence under the Animal Slaughterhouse and Meat Inspection Act.

    Where
    Local livestock service section or Veterinary Hospital and Livestock Service Expert Centre; municipality for meat shop licences
    Level
    local
    Documents
    Farm registration, Citizenship certificate, Farm layout or site details
    Time
    1 to 4 weeks

    lawcommission.gov.np (opens in a new tab)Check

  8. Get a food licence if you process or pack food

    Any food manufacturing or packing unit (milling, spices, pickles, dairy products, juice) needs an industry licence from the food technology and quality control department. The department has an online system for issuing and renewing food industry licences. Expect a document check and a site inspection of hygiene, equipment and storage; sample testing may follow.

    Where
    Department of Food Technology and Quality Control, Babarmahal, Kathmandu (phone 9851319484 for food permits)
    Level
    federal
    Documents
    Industry registration certificate, PAN or VAT certificate, Owner citizenship certificate, Layout plan of the production facility, Machinery list, Product list and label samples
    Time
    A few weeks including inspection

    Do it online (opens in a new tab)dftqc.gov.np (opens in a new tab)Check

  9. Apply for organic or quality certification if you will sell as organic

    Organic claims need third-party certification, either individual or as a farmer group, renewed each year. Group certification is cheaper for small farms. Full international certification can cost several lakh rupees a year (one tea producer reported Rs 700,000 to 800,000), so only do it if a buyer will pay the price difference.

    Where
    A certification body such as Organic Certification Nepal or an international certifier; ask the Department of Agriculture or your Agriculture Knowledge Centre which bodies are recognised
    Level
    private
    Documents
    Farm records, Input use records, Group membership list if group certification
    Time
    Several months; renewed annually

    nepjol.info (opens in a new tab)Check

  10. Get a phytosanitary certificate to export plant products

    To export fresh produce, cardamom, tea or plant products, you need a phytosanitary certificate from the plant quarantine system. Nepal issues these online through the National Single Window. The centre lists an application form and a re-export form but the steps and fee were not found in an official source.

    Where
    National Center for Plant Quarantine and Biosecurity (Plant Quarantine and Pesticide Management Centre), Hariharbhawan, Lalitpur, or the border quarantine office; phone 01 5010111
    Level
    federal
    Documents
    Application for Phytosanitary Certificate, Exporter registration and PAN, Commodity and packing details, Importing country requirements
    Time
    Usually same day to a few days per consignment; confirm with the office

    Do it online (opens in a new tab)npponepal.gov.np (opens in a new tab)Check

  11. Apply for a subsidised loan, grant and insurance

    With your registration and PAN, apply to a bank for the agriculture subsidised loan. Then ask your municipality and provincial office for grants, and insure crops or livestock with a non-life insurance company to get premium support. Do not buy sheds or animals before checking whether the grant pays you back or needs prior approval.

    Where
    Commercial bank, development bank or cooperative; municipality agriculture section; non-life insurer
    Level
    private
    Documents
    Registration certificate, PAN, Land or lease papers, Project plan and cost estimate, Citizenship certificate
    Time
    A few weeks to several months

    nepsetrading.com (opens in a new tab)Check

Permits, licences and registrations

Industry or enterprise registration (micro, cottage or small, agro-based)

Issued by
Local government, provincial Cottage and Small Industry office, or Department of Industry depending on size
Needed when
When you run a farm business or processing unit as a formal enterprise, before opening a business account or applying for most loans and grants.
Valid for
Registration plus annual renewal rules set by the registering office
Law
Industrial Enterprises Act, 2020 (2076 BS)
leap.unep.org (opens in a new tab)Check

PAN or VAT registration

Issued by
Inland Revenue Department
Needed when
For any business; VAT registration depends on turnover threshold. Many raw agricultural products are exempt from VAT but you still need a PAN.
Valid for
Permanent, with annual tax filing
Law
Income Tax Act, 2058 and Value Added Tax Act, 2052
ird.gov.np (opens in a new tab)Check

Food industry licence (food processing and packing)

Issued by
Department of Food Technology and Quality Control
Needed when
When you manufacture, process or pack food for sale, including milling, spices, pickles and dairy products.
Valid for
Renewable; the department says licence issue and renewal are online
Law
Food Act and Food Rules (confirm current Act with the department; some secondary sources cite Food Act 2023 BS)
dftqc.gov.np (opens in a new tab)Check

Slaughterhouse or meat shop licence

Issued by
Local government with the livestock service office (District Animal Service Office under the 2057 regulation)
Needed when
When you operate a slaughterhouse or sell meat.
Valid for
As set on the licence
Law
Animal Slaughterhouse and Meat Inspection Act, 2055 (1999) and Regulation, 2057 (2001)
lawcommission.gov.np (opens in a new tab)Check

Animal health and livestock service business registration

Issued by
Council for animal health and livestock service professionals / Department of Livestock Services
Needed when
When you run an animal health or veterinary service business (clinic, agrovet service).
Valid for
Per council rules
Law
Council of Animal Health and Livestock Service Professionals Act and Animal Health and Livestock Services Act, 2055 (1998)
thehimalayantimes.com (opens in a new tab)Check

Phytosanitary certificate (export of plant products)

Issued by
National Center for Plant Quarantine and Biosecurity (Plant Quarantine and Pesticide Management Centre), under the Department of Agriculture
Needed when
For each export consignment of plants, fresh produce or plant products when the importing country demands it.
Valid for
Per consignment
Law
Plant Protection Act, 2064 (2007) and Plant Quarantine rules
npponepal.gov.np (opens in a new tab)Check

Pesticide sale and use registration

Issued by
National Center for Plant Quarantine and Biosecurity (pesticide management section)
Needed when
When you import or sell pesticides, or run an agrovet that stocks them.
Valid for
Per registration terms
Law
Pesticide Act, 2048 (1991)
npponepal.gov.np (opens in a new tab)Check

Organic certification (voluntary, needed to market as organic)

Issued by
A recognised certification body, for example Organic Certification Nepal or an international certifier
Needed when
When you want to sell your product as organic, especially for export.
Valid for
Renewed annually
Law
National organic agriculture guideline and standards (confirm the current status with the Department of Agriculture)
nepjol.info (opens in a new tab)Check

Offices you will deal with

Private steps

  • Open a business bank account and keep farm accountsUse a separate account for farm income and spending. Keep simple records of seed, feed, labour and sales; banks, grant offices and buyers will ask for them.
  • Insure crops and livestockBuy crop, livestock or poultry insurance from a non-life insurer; the government supports a large share of the premium and cooperatives can give an extra discount. The share paid has changed over time, so ask the insurer for the current subsidy.
  • Join or form a farmer group or cooperativeGroups get bulk-input prices, training seats and group organic certification, and can sell to larger buyers. Cooperative-bought insurance gets extra premium discount.
  • Secure a buyer before you plant or stockSign or at least confirm demand with a hotel, school, wholesaler, dairy or processor. Do this first to avoid a glut with no buyer.
  • Build a cash reserveKeep several months of feed and labour money, especially for poultry and dairy, where an outbreak or a price crash can hit in weeks.

Loans, grants and support

NRB subsidised loan scheme (agriculture and livestock, women, youth, startups)

The government pays part of the interest on approved loans. Reported limit for agriculture and livestock is Rs 50 million, Rs 2.5 million for women entrepreneurs, returnee youths, educated youths and startups, and Rs 2 million for the Dalit enterprise loan. NRB says the provisions run until mid-July 2030. Exact interest rate and bank terms should be confirmed with the lending bank.

Provider
Nepal Rastra Bank through commercial banks and development banks
Who can apply
Targeted groups including farmers, women, youths and startups; only one member per household can benefit; you must meet the bank's documentation requirements.
Check

Prime Minister Agriculture Modernization Project (PMAMP), now being restructured as the National Integrated Agricultural Modernization Programme

Ten-year programme (approved 2017, planned to end July 2026) that gave cost-shared grants through pocket, block, zone and super-zone approaches. Rates have been reported at 50 percent and up to 80 percent over the years, and one 2025 report says it will be restructured. Check the current rate and whether your area is covered before you plan.

Provider
Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development
Who can apply
Farmers, cooperatives and agro-firms in selected pocket and zone areas; land ownership papers are often required.
Check

Crop and livestock insurance with premium subsidy

A government subsidy on crop, livestock and poultry insurance premiums, started in 2013 at 50 percent and raised to 75 percent in later years. The latest subsidy percentage was not confirmed in an official source. The FY 2083/84 budget reports Rs 1.54 billion for premium subsidies.

Provider
Insurance Board of Nepal regulates; private non-life insurers sell; the government supports the premium
Who can apply
Farmers who buy a policy from a non-life insurer; cooperatives members can get extra discount.
Check

Fertiliser subsidy and farmer registration

Subsidised chemical fertiliser is distributed to registered farmers; fertiliser takes more than half of the FY 2083/84 agriculture budget. Registration through your local government is how you get on the list.

Provider
Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development, through local governments
Who can apply
Registered farmers
Check

Commercial farm investment pilot (up to 40 percent support)

Reported pilot where farms investing at least Rs 20 million can get up to 40 percent support, paid back as 10 percent a year over four years. Details and the start date were not confirmed.

Provider
Federal government, FY 2083/84 budget
Who can apply
Large commercial farm investors; rules to be confirmed
Check

Local and provincial grants and short trainings

Small grants for tunnels, seeds, ponds, equipment, cold stores and trainings. Rates differ by municipality and year. Some public cold stores were built with little demand planning, so ask about operating conditions before you rely on one.

Provider
Municipality agriculture section and provincial agriculture ministry
Who can apply
Usually registered farmers, groups and cooperatives; priority rules differ by place
Check

Education and training

TSLC

TSLC in Agriculture: JTA (Plant Science) and JTA (Animal Science / Veterinary)

Providers
CTEVT-affiliated technical schools and colleges across Nepal; some run as part of secondary schools.
Duration
About 18 months
Entry
SEE pass (grade requirements vary by programme)
ctevt.org.np (opens in a new tab)
Diploma

Diploma in Agriculture (Plant Science) and Diploma in Animal Science (Livestock) under CTEVT

Providers
CTEVT-affiliated colleges such as Nepal Polytechnic Institute and many private and community colleges; curriculum revised in 2025 (2082 BS).
Duration
3 years
Entry
SEE pass with minimum GPA and grade thresholds in some subjects
ctevt.org.np (opens in a new tab)
Bachelor

B.Sc. Agriculture, B.V.Sc. and A.H. (veterinary), B.Sc. Fisheries at Agriculture and Forestry University (AFU), Rampur, Chitwan

Providers
AFU (Institute of Agriculture and Animal Science, Rampur); admission through a common entrance exam with quota seats.
Duration
B.Sc. Ag. 8 semesters (4 years); B.V.Sc. and A.H. up to 10 semesters (5 years)
Entry
10+2 science or I.Sc. Ag / CTEVT diploma pathway as published by AFU; pass entrance exam
afu.edu.np (opens in a new tab)
Bachelor

B.Sc. Agriculture at Tribhuvan University IAAS (Rampur, Paklihawa) and Purbanchal University affiliated colleges

Providers
TU Institute of Agriculture and Animal Science and Purbanchal University
Duration
4 years (confirm with the university)
Entry
10+2 science or equivalent; entrance exam
afu.edu.np (opens in a new tab)
Master

M.Sc. Agriculture (Agronomy, Horticulture, Agricultural Economics, Biotechnology, and others), M.V.Sc., M.Sc. Animal Science, M.Sc. Fisheries

Providers
AFU, TU IAAS and other universities with separate entrance exams per track
Duration
2 years
Entry
Relevant bachelor degree
afu.edu.np (opens in a new tab)
Short course

Short trainings: beekeeping, mushroom, vegetable tunnel farming, poultry, dairy, food processing

Providers
Municipality agriculture sections, Agriculture Knowledge Centres, NARC, CTEVT, NGOs and cooperatives; many are free or sponsored.
Duration
A few days to a few weeks
Entry
Usually open to farmers and youths; local lists of trainees are common, so register early
moald.gov.np (opens in a new tab)

Careers

Junior Technical Assistant (JTA), agriculture or livestock

How to get in
TSLC (JTA Plant Science or Animal Science); government posts through Public Service Commission or provincial and local service commissions; also local government contracts.
collegenp.com (opens in a new tab)Check

Technical Assistant (agriculture, veterinary) in government or local government

How to get in
Diploma in agriculture or animal science, then open competition through the relevant Public Service Commission.
collegenp.com (opens in a new tab)Check

Veterinary technician or agrovet owner

How to get in
JTA or diploma in animal science, then register any animal health service business as required, and open a shop or clinic.
thehimalayantimes.com (opens in a new tab)Check

Agronomist or field officer for a company, NGO or project

How to get in
Bachelor or master in agriculture, plus field experience; jobs with fertiliser and seed companies, projects, NGOs and banks.
Pay per month
NPR A private-sector pay site reports agriculture and food industry salaries starting around 30,000 gross per month; no solid range for agronomists
paylab.com (opens in a new tab)Check

Farm manager (commercial farm, poultry, dairy, tea estate)

How to get in
Diploma or bachelor plus several years of hands-on farm work; usually promoted from supervisor level.
paylab.com (opens in a new tab)Check

Agro-trader, collection centre operator or processor

How to get in
No qualification needed; start with trading and grow into storage or processing; registration and a PAN are required.
moald.gov.np (opens in a new tab)Check

Pitfalls to avoid

  • Do not buy sheds, animals or machines before the grant or loan is approved, unless the programme says you can claim afterwards.
  • Do not start a poultry or vegetable farm without a buyer lined up; gluts and price crashes are common.
  • Check whether your subsidy needs a land ownership certificate; tenant farmers are often excluded. Get a proper written lease.
  • Beware of agents who take fees to 'arrange' grants, loans or certificates. Official services are free to apply for or have published fees.
  • Do not rely on old news about subsidy rates. PMAMP, insurance subsidy and loan terms have changed several times; confirm with the office that pays.
  • Do not build cold storage or a processing plant without an assured supply and buyer base; many subsidised cold stores sit under-used.
  • Poultry biosecurity and vaccination matter more than cheap feed: one outbreak can end the business.
  • Organic certification is expensive; do not pay for it unless a buyer pays the price difference.
  • Export plant products only with the right quarantine paperwork; shipments get rejected at the border without it.
  • Imported food competes with local produce at low prices; focus on freshness, quality and direct buyers instead of racing on price.
  • Mixed information online about food licence fees and capital limits for industry categories; use only the department or office notice.

Sources

  1. Major highlights of Economic Survey 2025/26, Himal Press (reporting Ministry of Finance), read 2026-10-15
  2. Nepal's economy grows by 3.85 pc in FY 2025/26: NRB report, B360 Nepal (reporting Nepal Rastra Bank), read 2026-10-15
  3. Food is now Nepal's next biggest dependency after fuel, The Kathmandu Post, read 2026-10-15
  4. Rice and paddy imports surge, Republica, read 2026-10-15
  5. Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development website, Government of Nepal, read 2026-10-15
  6. Department of Food Technology and Quality Control website, Government of Nepal, read 2026-10-15
  7. National Center for Plant Quarantine and Biosecurity, Government of Nepal, read 2026-10-15
  8. NRB unveils subsidized loan limits, Nepse Trading (reporting Nepal Rastra Bank), read 2026-10-15
  9. CTEVT courses and programs, Council for Technical Education and Vocational Training, read 2026-10-15
  10. Diploma in Agriculture (Plant Science) curriculum, revision 2025, CTEVT, read 2026-10-15
  11. Agriculture and Forestry University, AFU, read 2026-10-15
  12. Animal Slaughterhouse and Meat Inspection Act, 2055, Nepal Law Commission, read 2026-10-15
  13. Animal Health and Livestock Services Act, 2055, Nepal Law Commission, read 2026-10-15
  14. Industrial Enterprises Act, 2076 (2020), FAO FAOLEX / UNEP LEAP summary, read 2026-10-15
  15. PM Agricultural Modernization Project becomes National Integrated Agricultural Modernization Programme, Kantipur, read 2026-10-15
  16. Government proposes Rs 51.14 billion budget for agriculture in FY 2083/84, Ratopati, read 2026-10-15
  17. Around 2.5 million farmers enrolled in farmer registration system, Online Khabar, read 2026-10-15
  18. Can better insurance buffer Nepali farmers against climate change, The Kathmandu Post, read 2026-10-15
  19. Opportunity and challenge of organic certification system in Nepal, Agronomy Journal of Nepal (NepJOL), read 2026-10-15
  20. Large cardamom exports in 11 months, Himal Press, read 2026-10-15