Kathmandu: Around 2.5 million farmers have been enlisted in the Farmer Registration System operated by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forests and Environment, according to officials.

The farmers have been registered based on details of their landholdings and agricultural production. The government says the online registration system is aimed at improving access to subsidies, services and support programmes designed to boost agricultural productivity.

Sanjeev Pandit, an official at the Agriculture Information Centre said efforts are ongoing to register the remaining farmers.

According to the Agriculture Census 2021/22 (2078 BS), about 4.13 million people in Nepal depend on agriculture for their livelihoods.

Pandit said more than 1.6 million farmers are yet to be enlisted in the system and registration campaigns are continuing across the country in coordination with local governments.

Once all farmers are registered, the ministry plans to classify them into four categories: subsistence farmers, small farmers, medium farmers and large farmers.

Farmer identity cards will then be issued and registered farmers will be linked to a digital information system.

Officials believe the farmer identity cards will make it easier for the government to provide grants, chemical fertilisers, seeds and other agricultural services in a more targeted and efficient manner.

The Agriculture Information Centre has urged farmers who have not yet registered to enroll in the programme to ensure they can benefit from future government support and services.