Agriculture Minister Directs Action Against Black Marketting and Artificial Shortages

Chitwan. Minister for Agriculture, Forest and Environment, Gita Chaudhary, has requested farmers, consumers, and the general public to immediately contact the ministry's hotline number if activities such as black marketting in the agricultural sector, creating artificial shortages, hoarding agricultural materials, or artificially increasing prices are observed.

While conducting surprise inspections of the agricultural sector and discussing existing problems and solutions with farmers in various places in the district today, she urged all concerned to immediately report any activities such as black marketting, creating artificial shortages in the market, hoarding agricultural materials, or artificially increasing prices.

She expressed commitment that as soon as such complaints are received at the ministry, the concerned bodies will be mobilized for immediate inspection, and strict action will be taken against individuals or businesses found guilty according to the law. She stated that the government has a policy of zero tolerance towards any activity that is against the interests of farmers.

Minister Chaudhary personally inquired about whether farmers have been able to easily obtain fertilizers, seeds, pesticides, and other agricultural materials during the main planting season, and whether there has been black marketting, artificial shortages, or artificial price increases in the market. She met and interacted directly with farmers in various municipalities and fields in Chitwan.

Minister Chaudhary took information about the status of paddy transplantation and other seasonal crops, availability of fertilizers and seeds, production costs, irrigation, market management, and the problems faced by farmers. After listening to the farmers' complaints and suggestions, she coordinated with officials of the concerned government bodies via telephone and directed them to immediately resolve the observed problems.

Minister Chaudhary stated that the ministry is committed to providing timely availability of necessary agricultural materials to farmers to increase agricultural production, controlling black marketting, and resolving problems in the agricultural sector.