KATHMANDU: Minister for Agriculture, Forest and Environment, Gita Chaudhary, has said government would ensure distribution of as much as 600 thousand metric tonnes of chemical fertilizers to the farmers at subsidized rate by the end of current fiscal year.
Minister Chaudhary said it in response to lawmakers’ queries during a question and answer session held at National Assembly meeting today. The government has been providing chemical fertilizers to the farmers based on their investment cost.
So far, the government has supplied 558 thousand metric tonnes of fertilizers to the farmers in the current fiscal year. Of the total, we still have the stock of 168.8 thousand metric tonnes of fertilizers, according to him.
Chaudhary further said, “Government is at work and establishing coordination with various agencies to ensure no shortage of chemical fertilizers during eminent paddy plantation. The dealers which have not supplied chemical fertilizers are prodded to intensify the supply.”
The government is expecting import of 90,000 metric tonnes of chemical fertilizers in the first month of upcoming fiscal year. Process is underway to purchase 80,000 metric tonnes of fertilizers from India through government to government scheme. Of this amount, procurement of importing 30,000 metric tonnes of urea and 20,000 metric tonnes of DAP under the first phase is forwarded.
However, the government is also for raising public awareness to use compost for a balanced use of fertilizer, according to Minister Chaudhary. The concerned offices of sub-national governments were also written to enforce the Directive on Distribution of Fertilizer in Grant, 2082 so that misuse of fertilizer would be discouraged and transparency ensured.
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