‘Online system’ to reach chemical fertilisers to farmers: Agriculture Minister

Birgunj (Parsa), Nov 9: Minister for Agriculture and Livestock Development Dr Madan Prasad Pariyar has said that an online system is going to be established to distribute the government-subsidised chemical fertiliser in a farmer-friendly manner.

During an inspection of government offices related to agriculture and livestock in Parsa and Bara on Saturday and separate meetings with farmers, he shared that there were some problems in the chemical fertiliser distribution system and that efforts were being made to make the distribution system truly farmer-friendly. “We are working to develop an online system that shows which farmer has received how much fertiliser. This work will probably be launched soon,” he said.

Actual farmers are not being able to obtain chemical fertilisers due to the mismanagement of municipalities that facilitate the sale and distribution of fertilisers and cooperatives, firms or companies that have obtained permits or ‘dealerships’ for fertiliser distribution. Minister Pariyar claimed that the government has been purchasing chemical fertilisers at very high prices and providing subsidised fertilisers to farmers at cheap prices.

He also said that there will be no shortage of chemical fertilisers this year, like in previous years. On a different note, Agriculture Minister Pariyar said that he has taken the matter to the Council of Ministers to continue the subsidy of Rs 70 per quintal given to sugarcane farmers. Agriculture Minister Pariyar had on Saturday inquired about the availability of chemical fertilisers and salt in stock with Salt Trading Corporation, Agricultural Inputs Company Limited, Provincial Office, Birgunj.

Similarly, he held discussions and interactions with the National Sugarcane Research Program, sugarcane farmers of Fattepur, Bara, sugarcane farmers of Umhanagar Ward No. 8, Jitpur, Simara, fish farmers of Kolhabi, Bara, and banana farmers of Nijgadh, among others.