KATHMANDU: In the last fiscal year, the government imported 489,000 metric tons of chemical fertilizer, of which 401,000 metric tons were sold, thereby easing supplies chain.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development said over the past year, fertilizer availability in the market has improved compared to previous years, providing easier access for farmers who were previously struggling to get fertilizers.
Tapendra Prasad Bohora, Joint Spokesperson for the Ministry, attributed the increased availability of chemical fertilizers to enhanced crop production and productivity.
The Ministry credited the timely initiation of tenders, efficient evaluation processes, and prompt agreements for the timely procurement of fertilizers.
The Ministry expressed confidence that the current stock and ongoing procurement efforts would ensure easy access to fertilizers for the upcoming farming season.
The government, according to the Ministry, consistently announced support prices and procured 37,000 metric tons of rice from farmers through cooperatives and the Food Management and Trade Company Limited.
Furthermore, in the past year, the government received a gift of 14 Murrah buffalo bull from India under the Animal Breeding Programme, a part of Nepal-India cooperation in agriculture and the livestock sector.
Joint Spokesperson Bohora said with these efforts spanning the past decade to bring Murrah buffaloes were materilised.
The government expects their significant role in dairy and meat production.
Similarly, Nepal received 101 advanced breeds of calves and eight bulls during this period, aiming for increased dairy production within the next five to six years.
The country also recorded 711,000 artificial inseminations in cattle nationwide for advanced breeds of animals.
The construction of semen production and processing laboratory at the National Livestock Breeding Office, Lahan and distribution of 83.2 million fingerlings to the farmers are also mentioned among the Ministry’s achievements in one year.
A protocol has been signed between Nepal and China for collaboration in the agriculture, livestock and fishery sectors and plant quarantine condition.
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