Rastriya Swatantra Party MP Khanal Highlights Need for Ambulance Services in Agriculture

Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) MP KP Khanal has called for the initiation of agricultural ambulance services to assist farmers in delivering their harvested crops to markets promptly. He described the agricultural ambulance as a critical oxygen supply for the agriculture sector’s ICU and emphasized the necessity to launch this service in the upcoming fiscal year.

During a meeting of the Agriculture Committee at Singha Durbar on Wednesday, MP Khanal stated, “Just as ambulances arrive when a person falls ill, an ambulance service must also be available when farmers’ crops are in a precarious condition.” He further added, “Vehicles worth millions sustain the country, yet if we cannot provide farmers—who truly sustain the nation—with agricultural ambulances costing five to seven lakh rupees, what achievements can we claim in key agricultural areas?”

He also highlighted the importance of soil testing and stressed the need to end the situation where farmers discard their produce on roadsides, resulting in consumers paying higher prices. Khanal said, “The agricultural ambulance is essential to break the monopolies of middlemen and to convert farmers’ hard work into cash.” He drew attention to the fact that approximately 20 to 35 percent of Nepal’s locally produced fruits and vegetables get spoiled before reaching the market due to inadequate transportation and storage facilities.