Minister for Agriculture and Livestock Development, Ram Nath Adhikari, today briefed Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli on the progress and challenges faced by the Ministry of Agriculture. The meeting, held at the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers, covered a range of critical issues, including the stock of chemical fertilizers, the upcoming Agriculture Investment Decade (2081-2091), the national agriculture policy, the agriculture bill, and the Prime Minister’s Agriculture Modernization Project.

Minister Adhikari also highlighted the restructuring of the Nepal Agricultural Research Council, the provision of grants to sugarcane farmers, and the implementation of subsidized agricultural loans.

During the meeting, Prime Minister Oli emphasized the need to resolve existing challenges faced by farmers, calling for smoother, more transparent chemical fertilizer supply and distribution. He urged the ministry to prepare for the establishment of a fertilizer industry within the country and to prioritize the use of organic manure. Additionally, PM Oli instructed the Ministry to ensure timely procurement of chemical fertilizers, aiming for distribution within 10 days in the Tarai and 15 days in the hilly regions.

The Ministry of Agriculture has allocated a budget of Rs 27.95 billion for the purchase of 550,000 metric tonnes of chemical fertilizer annually. To date, 240,000 metric tonnes of fertilizer have been imported, and 263,000 metric tonnes, including stock from last year, have been distributed. Currently, 30,000 metric tonnes of urea fertilizer are in the process of being imported. However, delays are being caused by the 45-day timeline required for global tendering.

The meeting also addressed preparations for the upcoming BIMSTEC Ministerial Meeting on Agriculture, set to take place in Kathmandu on April 8-9. Prime Minister Oli encouraged the Agriculture Ministry to effectively contribute to regional collaboration and Nepal’s economic prosperity during the event.

In closing, PM Oli recommended removing his name from the Prime Minister Agriculture Modernization Project, emphasizing the importance of objective-driven participation and strategic planning.

The meeting was attended by Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Bishnu Prasad Paudel, Chief Secretary Eak Narayan Aryal, and Agriculture Ministry Secretaries Dr. Govinda Sharma and Dr. Rajendra Prasad Mishra.