The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Environment has announced plans to import around 2.10 lakh metric tons of chemical fertilizer by Sawan to support farmers during the paddy planting season and set up hotline numbers to report black marketing.
The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Environment is preparing to bring around 2 lakh 10 thousand metric tons of chemical fertilizer into Nepal within the next month of Sawan. To provide relief to farmers, the ministry has started import process through various channels to ensure enough fertilizer is available for planting paddy.
Import from India under Government Agreements
According to the ministry, government is bringing 30,000 metric tons of urea from India under Government-to-Government (G2G) agreement. This fertilizer is expected to arrive in Nepal between the end of Ashar and the second week of Sawan. Also, out of another G2G agreement with India for 80,000 metric tons, the first phase of 50,000 metric tons of fertilizer will enter Nepal in second week of Sawan.
Global Tenders and Shipping Status
Additionally, 1.80 lakh metric tons of chemical fertilizer will be imported through global tenders, including 60,000 metric tons of DAP and 1.20 lakh metric tons of urea. The ministry has set goal to bring these fertilizers to Nepal by the first week of Sawan.
Currently, 30,000 metric tons of urea is in loading process in Oman and will reach Kolkata by the end of Ashar, eventually arriving in Nepal by the second week of Sawan. Salt Trading Corporation Limited mentioned that 30,000 metric tons of DAP has already crossed Hormuz and reached Visakhapatnam port, which will arrive in Nepal by Ashar 19 to 20. Another shipment of 30,000 metric tons of urea is loaded on ship and will arrive in Kolkata port in the first week of Sawan and reach Nepal by end of Sawan.
Agriculture Inputs Company Limited has reported that 30,000 metric tons of urea from Qatar has been shipped and is expected to reach Kolkata by the end of Ashar. Another 30,000 metric tons of urea from Saudi Arabia is loaded and will also reach Kolkata by the end of Ashar. Furthermore, 30,000 metric tons of DAP from Vietnam has been loaded and will reach Kolkata by the end of Ashar and enter Nepal in the second week of Sawan.
Record High Targets and Anti-Black Marketing Steps
Even though the ongoing conflict in the Middle East has reduced the availability of fertilizer in the international market, the ministry is working hard to supply fertilizer to help farmers. This year, the ministry is aiming to import highest amount of chemical fertilizer compared to past years. The ministry aims to provide about 6 lakh metric tons of subsidized chemical fertilizer to farmers in this current fiscal year.
To make the distribution system more organized, transparent, and effective, the ministry has directed to compulsorily update all details in the online system. If anyone finds black marketing or any kind of irregularity at local level, the ministry has set up hotline number 9700099113 and a QR code system where complaints can be registered from 7 AM to 7 PM.
AI Disclaimer: This article was originally published on https://bajarkochirfar.com. It has been translated with the help of AI. For the best understanding and accurate facts, we recommend reading the original Nepali version.
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