KATHMANDU, FEBRUARY 13
Minister for Agriculture and Livestock Development, Ram Nath Adhikari, briefed Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli on the progress and challenges of various initiatives undertaken by the ministry.
In a meeting held at the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers today, Minister Adhikari updated the Prime Minister on key issues, including the stock of chemical fertilizers, the Agriculture Investment Decade (2081–2091), the National Agriculture Policy and Agriculture Bill, the Prime Minister Agriculture Modernization Project, the restructuring of the Nepal Agricultural Research Council, subsidies for sugarcane farmers, and concessional agricultural loans.
On the occasion, PM Oli instructed the Agriculture Ministry to address farmers' challenges, ensuring a smooth, efficient, and transparent supply of chemical fertilizers. He also emphasized the need to initiate preparations for establishing a domestic fertilizer industry and formulating policies to promote the use of organic manure.
Additionally, the Prime Minister directed the ministry to call for fertilizer tenders on time and ensure timely distribution-within 10 days in the Tarai and 15 days in hilly areas after procurement.
According to the ministry, a budget of Rs 27.95 billion has been allocated for the annual purchase of 550,000 metric tonnes of chemical fertilizer. So far, 240,000 metric tonnes have been imported, while 263,000 metric tonnes, including last year's stock, have already been sold.
Furthermore, an additional 30,000 metric tonnes of urea fertilizer is in the import pipeline. The ministry also highlighted a challenge posed by the legal provision requiring a 45-day period for global tenders, which has caused delays.
Discussions were also held regarding the BIMSTEC Ministerial Meeting on Agriculture, scheduled to take place in Kathmandu on April 8–9. The meeting aims to foster multi-regional economic collaboration in the sector.
PM Oli directed the Agriculture Ministry to participate proactively, ensuring Nepal's engagement is both strategic and result-oriented.
During the meeting, the Prime Minister also instructed officials to remove the "Prime Minister" designation from the Prime Minister Agriculture Modernization Project.
Attending the meeting were Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Bishnu Prasad Paudel, Chief Secretary Eak Narayan Aryal, and Agriculture Ministry Secretaries Dr. Govinda Sharma and Dr. Rajendra Prasad Mishra.
