Kathmandu, October 1
Lawmakers have drawn the attention of the agriculture minister and secretary to the shortage of chemical fertilisers, irregularities in the distribution system and a controversial audio recording linked to the ministry.
Expressing dissatisfaction with the ministry’s performance over the past six months, lawmakers sought answers over the apparent contradiction between farmers struggling to obtain fertilisers and ministry data showing that supplies are sufficient.
Lawmaker Khagendra Karna pointed to delays in the ministry’s work despite what he described as increased ministerial activity. He said farmers were being affected by delays in the tendering process and leakages in the distribution system.
He urged the ministry to ensure a transparent fertiliser distribution system in the coming fiscal year.
Lawmaker Gyanendra Singh Mehta sought written responses on the problems faced by farmers in districts including Sudurpaschim and the difficulties in marketing agricultural produce.
He raised 13 questions covering issues including how to attract young people to agriculture, the impact of climate change on the agricultural sector and the failure to bring technologies developed by the Nepal Agricultural Research Council (NARC) to farmers’ fields.
Lawmakers Poonam Agrawal and Laxmi Prasad Pokharel sought clarification from the committee over the audio recording linked to the Agriculture Ministry that recently went viral on social media.
They also questioned the appointment of NARC’s executive director, asking the minister why there was a need to reappoint a person who had become controversial.
Lawmaker Suresh Kumar Chaudhary expressed concern that the agricultural sector was shrinking due to the lack of a clear land-use policy and irrigation framework.
Although the government has decided to prioritise organic fertilisers, he said the ministry had shown little commitment to implementing the decision. He stressed the need to reduce dependence on chemical fertilisers.
At the meeting, lawmaker Sagar Dhakal stressed that the committee should focus on policy-level issues and urged members to concentrate on long-term agricultural reforms rather than becoming preoccupied with minor matters.
