MP Nitima Bhandari Draws Attention to Chemical Fertilizer Shortage and Distribution Issues

Kathmandu. Rastriya Swatantra Party MP Nitima Bhandari has drawn the government's attention to the chemical fertilizer shortage and distribution system problems across the country. Speaking at the House of Representatives meeting on Tuesday, MP Bhandari presented three concrete suggestions to solve the problem of fertilizer faced by farmers. She informed the house that during recent public hearings in all five local levels of her constituency, farmers complained about not receiving fertilizer as per their demand and the ineffectiveness of the distribution system. For a long-term solution to the fertilizer shortage, she demanded the development of a robust system to distribute fertilizer only after creating a 'Farmer Identity Card' based on arable land area at the ward level and transforming this system into a digital system. Similarly, her proposal is that the government should determine the price and quality and allow the private sector to import fertilizer with strict regulation. She also suggested to the government to arrange for farmers to receive the subsidy amount based on the bill purchased from the private sector or adjust it in the bill at the time of purchase. Speaking at the meeting, she said, 'The current collective problem of farmers in my constituency is not receiving fertilizer as per the need and the ineffectiveness of the distribution system. To solve this problem, I want to give some suggestions to the government.' Presenting the first suggestion, she said, 'To create and distribute a farmer card based on arable land at the ward level and to develop and quickly implement a digital system.' Similarly, presenting the second and third suggestions, she added, 'Second, to effectively implement the approved procedures by determining price and quality, and to allow the private sector to import fertilizer with strict regulation. Third, if farmers purchase fertilizer from the private sector, arrange for farmers to receive subsidies through an online system based on the card and bill.' Drawing the government's special attention to immediately make the fertilizer distribution system effective, she emphasized the need to arrange for subsidies to be provided to farmers through an online system based on the farmer card and purchase bill if they purchase fertilizer from the private sector.