Nepal Faces Severe Chemical Fertilizer Shortage Amidst Planting Season

Kathmandu. The perennial problem of acute shortage of chemical fertilizers during the main paddy planting season has recurred this year as well. By the end of Asar, farmers in most of the paddy-producing districts of the country have not received DAP and Urea fertilizer. In some districts, fertilizer has not reached, while in others, the small quantity of fertilizer that reached the agricultural cooperatives is finished within a few hours.

Farmers in the border areas are facing legal complications when trying to bring fertilizer from Indian markets individually, while on the other hand, the government claims to have sufficient stock.

Lawmakers have rained questions on the government in the House of Representatives meeting regarding the fertilizer shortage. Karishma Kathariya, a lawmaker from the ruling Rastriya Swatantra Party, expressed anger towards the government for failing to provide even basic fertilizers and seeds required by farmers. Another lawmaker, Rajiv Khatri, presenting the plight of farmers in the Far-West, stated that farmers are struggling due to the lack of irrigation, investment, improved seeds, and fertilizers. He mentioned that the practice of not starting the fertilizer supply process on time and shifting responsibility in the name of expedited processes at the last moment has raised serious doubts about the government machinery.

He questioned the change made in 2078 BS to the arrangement where the Agricultural Inputs Company used to purchase 70 percent and Salt Trading used to purchase 30 percent in the past. He alleged that while purchasing through the Government-to-Government (G2G) process reduces commission games, middlemen are being patronized in the name of competitive procurement processes.

• Claim to Ease Distribution

Amidst widespread criticism, the Minister of Agriculture, Forest and Environment, Gita Chaudhary, has claimed that the ministry is striving to supply fertilizer to farmers during the main planting season. Addressing a press conference on the completion of her first 100 days in office, Minister Chaudhary claimed that the fertilizer supply and distribution system is being directly monitored.

She stated that surprise inspections and sting operations have been conducted to prevent artificial shortages, black marketing, and middlemen's manipulation.

She informed that a significant amount of fertilizer has been sold and distributed through the Agricultural Inputs Company and Salt Trading Corporation from Chaitra until now, and the process for importing more fertilizer is being expedited. However, farmers are further agitated by her statements.

Farmers are confused because Minister Chaudhary has not clearly stated the fertilizer situation and distribution system.