State must take responsibility for operating chemical fertiliser industry: Agriculture Minister

Devdaha (Rupandehi), Aug 30: Minister for Agriculture and Livestock Development Ram Nath Adhikari has said that the state should take responsibility for operating the chemical fertiliser industry (factory) in the country.

During a discussion programme organised today in Bhairahawa by the Nepali Congress Regional Working Committee, Constituency-3, Rupandehi, he mentioned that he has repeatedly raised this issue in the Cabinet meetings. “The investment board is currently researching potential areas to open a chemical fertiliser industry,” said Minister Adhikari, “I think the investment board’s decision will come within a few months.”

Minister Adhikari also informed that last year, a budget of NPR 27 billion was allocated for fertiliser, which has been increased to about NPR 29 billion this year. Currently, there is a need for 1.3 million tons of fertiliser. However, our budget can only support about 450,000 tons.

If we could increase from four to eight, although it may not be enough, it would still be slightly more than what we have now,” he said. While expressing that there has been a consistent complaint about not receiving enough fertiliser from east to west, Minister Adhikari noted that the government is working to resolve the issue soon.