KATHMANDU: Minister for Agriculture and Livestock Development Ramnath Adhikari has said that the government lacks sufficient budget to fully meet fertilizer demand.
Responding to lawmakers’ questions in Thursday’s House of Representatives session, Minister Adhikari explained that high subsidies on fertilizers make it difficult to procure enough within the available budget. Currently, urea receives an 82 percent subsidy, DAP 84 percent, and potash 49 percent, he said.
The ministry plans to supply 600,000 tons of fertilizer this fiscal year, while the annual demand stands at 1.3 million tons. Ninety percent of procured fertilizer will be distributed through provincial governments to areas with the highest consumption, based on scientific allocation, the minister added.
Adhikari also highlighted that since taking office, he has prioritized streamlining fertilizer supply. Legal and procedural measures have been simplified, and public procurement regulations adjusted, to ensure timely availability and distribution of fertilizers
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