Geeta Chaudhary Calls for End to Fertilizer Imports

Agriculture Minister Geeta Chaudhary has said Nepal must move toward ending its long-standing dependence on imported chemical fertilizers, arguing that billions of rupees spent on overseas purchases should instead be invested in strengthening the country’s agricultural sector.

Speaking at a meeting of the House of Representatives’ Agriculture, Cooperatives and Natural Resources Committee at Singha Durbar on Friday, the minister said Nepal needs to develop domestic solutions, including the possibility of establishing fertilizer production facilities within the country.

She said reducing dependence on foreign fertilizer imports would allow the government to redirect large financial resources toward agricultural modernization, farmer support, and production growth.

Government Pushes for Long-Term Fertilizer Solution

The minister told lawmakers that Nepal should no longer remain in a position where it is forced to spend billions every year importing chemical fertilizers from abroad.

She stressed that creating local production capacity or identifying alternative systems for fertilizer management would help reduce the financial burden on the state while supporting national agricultural development.

According to the minister, a significant portion of the ministry’s annual budget is currently being used to import chemical fertilizers, limiting the government’s ability to invest in other critical areas of agriculture.

Half of Ministry Budget Spent on Fertilizer Imports

During the committee meeting, the minister revealed that nearly 50 percent of the ministry’s budget is spent solely on importing chemical fertilizers.

She said this level of expenditure highlights the urgent need for policy reforms and long-term planning aimed at making Nepal more self-reliant in agricultural inputs.

The minister noted that if Nepal could produce sufficient fertilizer domestically, the funds currently allocated for imports could instead be used for agricultural infrastructure, technology expansion, and farmer-focused development programs.

Focus on Making Agriculture More Attractive

The minister also said the government has started moving forward with policy reforms designed to make agriculture a more respected and attractive profession.

She explained that the ministry is prioritizing efforts to modernize the sector and encourage wider use of agricultural technology across the country.

Among the government’s key areas of focus are improving market access for farmers, increasing productivity, and creating a more supportive environment for agricultural workers.

She added that farmers could achieve stronger production outcomes if the state provided better facilitation and helped connect agricultural goods more efficiently to markets.

Lawmakers Raise Concerns Over Market Access

Members of the parliamentary committee also raised concerns over the challenges faced by farmers during the marketing and sale of agricultural products.

Several lawmakers said farmers often suffer losses because of the influence of middlemen in the supply and distribution system.

Committee members stressed the need for stronger government intervention to control unfair practices that negatively affect producers and reduce farmers’ earnings.

They argued that improving transparency in agricultural trade and strengthening direct market access could help protect farmers from exploitation.

Calls Grow for Greater Use of Organic Fertilizer

During the discussion, lawmakers also emphasized the importance of promoting organic fertilizer over chemical alternatives.

Committee members said Nepal should encourage wider use of organic fertilizer as part of efforts to support sustainable agriculture and reduce dependency on imported chemical products.

The discussion reflected growing concern among policymakers about the long-term financial and environmental impact of relying heavily on imported chemical fertilizer.

Lawmakers suggested that future agricultural policies should balance productivity goals with environmentally sustainable farming practices.

Pressure Builds for Agricultural Reform

The committee meeting highlighted broader concerns surrounding Nepal’s agricultural system, including budget allocation, farmer support, and market management.

The minister’s remarks come at a time when the government is under increasing pressure to improve agricultural productivity while reducing import dependency.

Officials and lawmakers at the meeting agreed that strengthening domestic agriculture would require coordinated policy reforms, improved market systems, and greater investment in local production capacity.

The discussion also underscored the importance of creating long-term strategies that can support farmers while reducing financial strain on the government caused by large-scale fertilizer imports.