Agriculture Ministry Secretary Suggests Private Sector Involvement in Fertilizer Supply

Kathmandu. Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forest and Environment, Dr. Rajendra Prasad Mishra, has stated that the private sector should also be involved to ease fertilizer supply. Speaking at a meeting of the Agriculture, Cooperatives and Natural Resources Committee on Wednesday, he clarified that the problem cannot be solved by the state alone purchasing fertilizer. Mentioning that the state-controlled system has increased the problem, he pointed out the need to involve the private sector in fertilizer trading. He stated that the purchase act will also need to be amended in the coming days to involve the private sector. Secretary Mishra clarified that the chemical fertilizer shortage is not due to the ministry but due to a global supply crisis. He claimed that the government is actively working to ensure no fertilizer shortage until next July, and informed that the ministry is using all available options with technical, financial, and diplomatic capacity. According to him, the fertilizer distribution situation this year is higher and improved compared to the same period last year. He said that assurance has been made for additional fertilizer to arrive through the G-to-G process with the Indian government in July, and daily follow-ups are being done for it. He also informed that a policy has been adopted to make the distribution system farmer-friendly through local governments, and monitoring has been increased through local levels, cooperatives, and district administration to stop black marketing. Speaking at the meeting, he said, 'As long as we do not create an environment for the private sector to participate in the fertilizer purchase process, these problems will persist in government-controlled systems. Therefore, we must create an environment for the private sector to participate in fertilizer trading in a good atmosphere.' Secretary Mishra said that the ministry has also prioritized organic fertilizer and local production systems as a long-term solution for chemical fertilizers.