Agriculture Minister Assures No Chemical Fertilizer Shortage for Farmers

Kathmandu. Minister of Agriculture, Forest and Environment Gita Chaudhary has said that the government has a special focus on ensuring that farmers do not face a shortage of chemical fertilizers. She said this on Wednesday while responding to the queries raised by the members of the House of Representatives.

Minister Chaudhary also informed that the government has recently started the process of purchasing 50,000 metric tons of fertilizer from the friendly country India to ensure that farmers do not face a shortage of fertilizer. She informed the parliament that the cabinet has already received theoretical approval for the purchase.

Minister Chaudhary also reminded the parliament that the conflict in the Middle East has caused problems in the production and supply of fertilizer and a significant increase in its price. In this situation, she clarified that 187,000 metric tons of fertilizer, for which agreements have already been made from the budget of the current and upcoming financial years, has not yet arrived.

To prevent a fertilizer shortage during the upcoming paddy plantation season, the ministry has strictly urged the suppliers with whom fertilizer supply agreements have been made to bring the fertilizer on time, according to her statement. While responding, she said, 'I want to inform you that the Government of Nepal has been providing chemical fertilizers to farmers on a subsidy basis with cost sharing. As of now, 554,762 metric tons of chemical fertilizer have been supplied in the current fiscal year, and 463,160 metric tons have been sold to farmers. Currently, there are 144,585 metric tons of fertilizer in stock, including those in warehouses and those that have entered Nepal but are yet to be entered into warehouse inventory. Approximately 600,000 metric tons of fertilizer will be provided to farmers on subsidy by the end of Ashad in the current fiscal year, which will be the largest quantity ever.'

Minister Chaudhary also claimed that the government has distributed more chemical fertilizer in the current fiscal year than in previous years. In addition, she clarified that the government has emphasized the balanced use of chemical fertilizers as well as the use of biological and organic fertilizers, and informative notices have been disseminated across the country accordingly.