40,500 metric tonnes of fertiliser supplied in 19 days

KATHMANDU: Paddy transplantation has begun across the country with the onset of the monsoon this year, and farmers have not faced the fertiliser shortages seen in previous years.

Government data show more than 40,500 metric tonnes of chemical fertilisers have been sold and distributed in the first 19 days of Asar. A total of 40,569.25 metric tonnes of chemical fertilisers have reached farmers’ fields through Agricultural Inputs Company Limited and Salt Trading Corporation.

“In past years, farmers were forced to suffer due to lack of chemical fertilisers during the main paddy transplanting season,” said Deepa Dahal, press and research expert to the Prime Minister. “But this time, the government has made the supply management, storage and distribution scientific and efficient, so farmers are easily getting fertilisers at the time of demand.”

Of the total distribution, Agricultural Inputs Company Limited supplied 26,994.65 metric tonnes of fertiliser, while Salt Trading Corporation supplied 13,574.6 metric tonnes. The fertilisers made available include urea, DAP and potash.

Dahal said the fact that nearly five thousand metric tonnes of fertiliser reached farmers without obstacles on Asar 15 is strong proof of the effectiveness of the government mechanism and its accountability towards farmers. “The Prime Minister’s Office is continuously monitoring and coordinating to prevent a shortage of fertiliser in the coming days as well,” she added.

Officials say timely budget assurance, preparation of the foreign procurement process and continuous monitoring of depots in each district have ensured sufficient stocks of chemical fertilisers this year.

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