Chemical Fertilizer Shortage: ‘No Panic’ but Farmers Not Getting Fertilizer as Needed—What’s Causing This Situation?

Amid reports of a chemical fertilizer shortage across the country during the peak rice planting season, an official has stated that while there is no cause for panic, it is true that farmers are not receiving fertilizer according to their demand. Dr. Ram Krishna Shrestha, Joint Secretary of the Agriculture Development Division under the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Environment, explained that due to tensions in the Middle East, there has been an unexpected international crisis and disruption in the fertilizer supply system this time.

“However, the government is continuing to supply additional fertilizer; presently, we have 93,000 tons of chemical fertilizer available,” Shrestha said. “The shortage is due to 95,000 tons of fertilizer, previously contracted at a lower price, not arriving on time because of the Middle East conflict.” Referring to Nepal’s regular stockpile of 200,000 tons of fertilizer established before supply disruptions occurred at the Strait of Hormuz, he added,