Kathmandu, Nov. 13 -- Among the 13 districts of Bagmati Province, Kathmandu ranks third lowest in terms of farmland. Most of its land is occupied by settlements and plotted housing areas, leaving very little space for agriculture. However, in terms of agricultural loan investment, Kathmandu ranks first.

A study shows that around 52.6 percent of the total agricultural loans disbursed in Bagmati Province have been invested in Kathmandu. This indicates a misuse of agricultural loans by non-farmers in areas where farming is minimal.

According to a study by Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB), a total of Rs 121 billion has been invested as agricultural loans in Bagmati Province, of which Kathmandu alone accounts for Rs 64 billion. The total area of land...