KATHMANDU, JANUARY 9
The government has suggested that farmers use the available fertilisers sparingly, saying that there is shortage of chemical fertilisers in the international market and excessive price hike. The request has been made considering a likely shortage of chemical fertilisers as many countries that Nepal has been importing fertilisers from have said there is shortage of raw material and hence it is difficult to provide as per the demand.
However, the government has increased the budget for the purchase of chemical fertilisers this year in comparison to the previous year. A total of Rs 13 billion was allocated last year, but Rs 15 billion has been allocated for this year.
Shedding light on the demand and supply situation of chemical fertilisers, Under-secretary at the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development Gangadatta Acharya said, "Fifteen billion rupees has been allocated for the purchase of fertilisers this year. The price of chemical fertilisers remains the same in the country though the cost price has doubled compared to the previous year."
Suggesting to increase the use of organic manure and not rely only on chemical fertiliser, the ministry has assured that food production can be increased by balancing chemical fertiliser with organic manure.
Due to international market prices and shortages, bids have been invited for 100,000 metric tonnes to 300,000 metric tonnes this year. An additional budget of Rs 13 billion will be required to obtain this amount of fertiliser.
The government had imported 4.2 million metric tonnes of chemical fertiliser in the previous fiscal year.
There is demand of 300,000 metric tonnes of urea, 200,000 metric tonnes of DAP and 20,000 metric tonnes of potash annually, the ministry said.
More than Rs 60 billion will be required to meet the demand for fertiliser in the country based on the international market price. Fertiliser demand and use has been increasing in the country, especially for paddy, wheat, maize, millet, sugarcane, tea, mustard and vegetables.
There has been some disruption in the import of chemical fertilisers as they have to be brought from the international market after completing various stages. Under normal circumstances, it takes a period of six months for the fertiliser to reach the country.
"There is a shortage of fertilisers in the international market.
China has urged a halt in export citing its shortage while it is the same in India," Acharya said. Nepal has been importing fertilisers from Gulf countries as well as from China, India and Morocco through contractors.
A version of this article appears in the print on January 10, 2022, of The Himalayan Times.
