New Chemical Fertilizer Distribution System Introduced; Licenses of Black Marketers to Be Revoked

The Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development has implemented a new ‘Subsidized Fertilizer Distribution Management Procedure 2082’ to ensure that chemical fertilizers are more accessible to farmers. This procedure regulates the entire process from quota allocation to distribution, including the provision for quota distribution down to local levels. Sellers found engaging in irregularities with fertilizer distribution will have their certificates revoked, and monitoring and management will be conducted by committees across five administrative levels. Kathmandu, April 30.

With the goal of providing farmers with easier access to chemical fertilizers, the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development has introduced this stringent new procedure. On April 29, Agriculture Minister Geeta Chaudhary approved the second amendment to the ‘Subsidized Fertilizer Distribution Management Procedure 2082’. Once implemented, farmers are expected to receive chemical fertilizers more conveniently, while the supply and distribution system will become organized, transparent, and more effective.

The ministry believes that the full implementation of this procedure will significantly contribute to increasing agricultural production and productivity, strengthening the country’s food security, and ultimately supporting overall economic prosperity. The government will now provide fertilizers to farmers as subsidies based on cost-sharing. To create a scientific fertilizer distribution system, the ministry has established clear and mathematical criteria for quota determination.

To prevent black marketing and price inflation, the government has set fertilizer prices at the import point. The import point prices for subsidized fertilizers have been fixed at NPR 14 per kilogram for urea, NPR 43 for DAP, and NPR 31 for potash. The procedure mandates transparency, stating that “local governments must arrange for local committees to display the price determined for sale at both the local government office and the vendor’s sales point in a manner visible to all.”