KATHMANDU: Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has directed the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development to ensure the smooth and timely supply of chemical fertilizer for farmers across the country.
During a meeting at the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers today, Agriculture Minister Ram Nath Adhikari briefed PM Oli on key issues, including the stock of chemical fertilizer, the upcoming Agriculture Investment Decade (2025-2035), the National Agriculture Policy and Agriculture Bill, the Prime Minister Agriculture Modernization Project, the restructuring of the Nepal Agricultural Research Council, subsidies for sugarcane farmers, and concessional agricultural loans.
PM Oli stressed the need to eliminate obstacles faced by farmers and urged the ministry to make the supply and distribution of fertilizer efficient, transparent, and hassle-free.
He also instructed officials to initiate preparations for establishing a domestic fertilizer industry and to promote the use of organic manure. Additionally, he emphasized the importance of timely tender calls for fertilizer imports and ordered that the distribution process be expedited—within 10 days for the Tarai region and 15 days for hilly areas upon arrival.
According to the ministry, Rs 27.95 billion has been allocated to purchase 550,000 metric tonnes of chemical fertilizer annually.
So far, 240,000 metric tonnes have been imported, and 263,000 metric tonnes, including last year’s stock, have already been sold. Meanwhile, 30,000 metric tonnes of urea fertilizer are currently in the process of being imported. Officials highlighted that the 45-day timeframe required for global tendering has caused delays.
The meeting also discussed Nepal’s plans to host the BIMSTEC Ministerial Meeting on Agriculture, scheduled for April 8-9 in Kathmandu, with a focus on enhancing multi-regional and economic collaboration.
PM Oli directed the ministry to participate effectively in the forum and align its strategies with Nepal’s broader development goals.
During the meeting, PM Oli also suggested removing the term “Prime Minister” from the Prime Minister Agriculture Modernization Project.
Present at the discussion were Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Bishnu Prasad Paudel, Chief Secretary Eak Narayan Aryal, and Agriculture Ministry Secretaries Dr. Govinda Sharma and Dr. Rajendra Prasad Mishra.
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