BARA, June 26 : With the main paddy plantation season underway, distribution of chemical fertilizers has begun in Madhes Province under government subsidy arrangements, but concerns over shortage continue among farmers.
A total of 9,110 metric tons of DAP and 8,734 metric tons of urea have been allocated for distribution to farmers across eight districts of the province. The supply is being managed through government-owned Agriculture Inputs Company Limited and Salt Trading Corporation. However, delays in the decision to distribute fertilizers at the local level and limited supply compared to demand have kept fears of fertilizer shortages alive among farmers.
According to the Madhes Province offices of Agriculture Inputs Company Limited in Birgunj and Salt Trading Corporation, fertilizer distribution began on June 10 targeting farmers in Parsa, Bara, Rautahat, Sarlahi, Mahottari, Dhanusha, Siraha and Saptari. The fertilizers are being distributed through cooperatives and authorized dealers based on quotas set by the provincial government and recommendations from local levels.
Around 374,000 hectares of land across the eight districts of Madhes Province are used for paddy cultivation. Durga Pandey, chief of the Madhes Province office of Agriculture Inputs Company Limited, said 688 metric tons of urea and 140.6 metric tons of DAP are being distributed for 47,130 hectares of land in Parsa for paddy cultivation. In Bara, 819 metric tons of urea and 167.7 metric tons of DAP have been allocated for 46,020 hectares, while in Rautahat, 874 metric tons of urea and 179.1 metric tons of DAP are being distributed for 35,630 hectares, he said.
Perennial fertilizer shortage hits farmers hard
Similarly, in Sarlahi, 1,094 metric tons of urea and 223.8 metric tons of DAP have been allocated for 46,694 hectares. In Mahottari, 880 metric tons of urea and 180 metric tons of DAP have been made available for 39,436 hectares.
In Dhanusha, 926 metric tons of urea and 189.5 metric tons of DAP have been allocated for 42,850 hectares, while in Siraha, 1,073 metric tons of urea and 219.5 metric tons of DAP are being distributed for 54,000 hectares. In Saptari, 975 metric tons of urea and 199.8 metric tons of DAP are being supplied for 66,150 hectares, he added.
Meanwhile, Sanjay Shah, information officer at the Madhes Province office of Salt Trading Corporation, said 208.8 metric tons of urea and 661.8 metric tons of DAP have been allocated for Parsa, while Bara has received 248.6 metric tons of urea and 800 metric tons of DAP.
For Rautahat, 265 metric tons of urea and 755.4 metric tons of DAP have been allocated, and for Sarlahi, 331.6 metric tons of urea and 1,068 metric tons of DAP have been set aside.
In Mahottari, 267 metric tons of urea and 860 metric tons of DAP have been allocated. In Dhanusha, 280 metric tons of urea and 904 metric tons of DAP have been made available, while Siraha has been allocated 372 metric tons of urea and 1,282 metric tons of DAP. Saptari has been allocated 339 metric tons of urea and 1,168 metric tons of DAP.
However, of the 136 local governments in Madhes Province, many municipalities have yet to complete decisions regarding fertilizer distribution, meaning they have not been able to distribute their allocated share. In some areas where distribution has started, delays in completing procedural requirements mean farmers are still unlikely to receive fertilizers on time.
Farmers say the problem of inadequate fertilizer supply during the peak planting season has been recurring for years. Many complain that fertilizers only become available after transplantation has already begun, making farm management difficult. As a result, many farmers are forced to purchase fertilizers from the private market at higher prices. Agricultural experts say delays in timely fertilizer supply can also affect crop yields.
The government has set subsidized prices for fertilizers at Rs 2,232.50 per bag for DAP, Rs 782.50 per bag for urea, and Rs 1,632.50 per bag for potash. Experts and farmers say that due to the inability to ensure adequate supply according to the demand, the fertilizer shortage problem appears likely to repeat this year as well.
As Madhes Province is the country’s main paddy-producing region, ensuring timely and sufficient fertilizer supply during the planting season remains a major challenge for the government. Farmers, meanwhile, have urged authorities to ensure adequate supply on time rather than delayed distribution.
