KATHMANDU, AUGUST 6
Minister for Agriculture and Livestock, Ramnath Adhikari, has directed the chiefs of the Birgunj Customs Office and Dry Port Office to prioritize the customs clearance of chemical fertilizer consignments.
During his inspection of the dry port and Birgunj customs office on Tuesday, Minister Adhikari emphasized the importance of a smooth customs clearance process, particularly for the import of chemical fertilizers. "Customs checks must be hassle-free to ensure that farmers receive this essential cultivation input on time," he stated.
Dilliram Panthi, Chief of the Birgunj Customs Office, informed the visiting Minister that the technical report for the chemical fertilizers' test was prepared, and clearance was granted promptly. "Chemical fertilizers imported from abroad must undergo technical examination in a laboratory," he explained, adding that such fertilizers cannot be distributed to farmers without a lab test. Once the report is ready, the process is swift.
The chemical fertilizers are transported from India via the Integrated Checkpoint, with trailers ferrying the heavy equipment.
Similarly, Dhan Bahadur Baruwal, Chief of the Customs Office, noted that necessary facilitation was in place for the tests at the checkpoint.
On this occasion, Ministry Secretary Dipak Kumar Kharal highlighted that domestic banana farmers were disadvantaged because both bananas and other fruits share the same 'HS Code.' He urged a quick resolution to this issue.
Minister Adhikari also inspected the Office of Authentication of Imported Food Quality, the Quarantine Office, and the Agricultural Inputs Office in the province.
