Siraha, Nepal – July 4, 2025
The absence of a functional plant quarantine service at the Madar Customs Office in Siraha district has created significant hurdles for agricultural traders, who are now forced to travel to distant locations like Biratnagar or Jaleshwar for necessary inspections and certifications.
Despite repeated calls from the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development and its affiliated departments for the establishment of a plant quarantine laboratory, the initiative has yet to materialize. A formal decision was made in October 2021 to establish plant quarantine offices at the Siraha-based Maheshpur and Suthouli customs points. However, the process remains stalled.
Customs Chief Toyanath Sapkota of Madar expressed concerns over the severe disruption in service delivery due to this delay. “Without a quarantine lab, it’s impossible to conduct mandatory laboratory tests before auctioning off confiscated food items,” said Sapkota. He further explained that letters were sent through the Plant Quarantine and Pesticide Management Center, Harihar Bhawan, to deploy technical personnel, but no action has followed.
A delegation led by Secretary Deepak Kharal from the Ministry of Agriculture recently visited Madar on June 21 (Asar 8) and held discussions with customs officials regarding the establishment of a plant quarantine facility. Sapkota stated that they have committed to initiating the service as soon as possible and have conducted on-site assessments for Madar, Thadi, and Rajbiraj customs offices.
The absence of the service also hinders local farmers in exporting their agricultural products like mangoes and litchis to the Indian market. Sapkota highlighted the disparity, noting that while high-quality Nepali mangoes sell for NPR 25–30 per kilogram locally, lower-quality Indian mangoes fetch NPR 70–80 per kg in Jaynagar, India. A local quarantine service could enable Nepali farmers to benefit from regional trade and help prevent illegal import-export activities.
Furthermore, Sapkota noted that sufficient land and a well-equipped building already exist within the Animal Quarantine Office compound in Madar, which can immediately accommodate the plant quarantine unit. “There’s no need to search for a separate facility,” he said.
Establishing the plant quarantine office in Madar would also serve nearby customs points in Thadi and Rajbiraj. Sapkota emphasized that the facility would benefit farmers, traders, and the government alike by promoting legal trade and increasing revenue collection.
Until the plant quarantine lab becomes operational, agricultural traders will continue facing difficulties, prolonging an issue that has remained unresolved for nearly four years.
