Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has rightly expressed serious concern over the recurring shortage of chemical fertilizer. Complaints about its scarcity during the critical planting season are not new, yet his proactive initiative to address the matter deserves commendation. On Tuesday, he made his expectations unmistakably clear to Agriculture Minister Ramnath Adhikari, Supply Minister Damodar Bhandari and other officials responsible for fertilizer management: “We need fertilizer.” Soon after assuming office last year, Prime Minister Oli had already instructed all relevant agencies to take every necessary measure to ensure the timely supply of fertilizer. Despite these directives, the system failed to deliver. If fertilizer cannot be supplied even when the Prime Minister personally intervenes, it is a stark indication of how deeply dysfunctional the existing system has become. During the meeting, frustrated by evasive responses like “but” and “however,” the Prime Minister emphasized: “More than anything else, I need fertilizer. We really need it here.” For decades, farmers in Nepal have faced the same challenge: the unavailability of fertilizer during crucial agricultural seasons. Subsidized fertilizer brought in by the state often fails to reach those who need it most. The responsibility lies with the Agriculture Inputs Company Limited, a fully government-owned agency tasked with the procurement, storage, and distribution of chemical fertilizer.
Prime Minister Oli directly questioned the agency: “You have an organization—why isn’t fertilizer reaching farmers? Is it because higher subsidies reduce supply?” It is unacceptable that an institution established specifically to ensure fertilizer supply cannot perform its basic mandate. Officials must be held accountable for failures that directly affect farmers and the country’s food security. Prime Minister Oli rightly asked: “What has your organization accomplished? Shouldn’t you be answerable?”Accountability has long been absent in Nepal’s public institutions. Government agencies, ministries, and offices rarely face consequences for failing to deliver essential services. For years, no effective mechanism has been established to penalise those who fail in their responsibilities. Until this changes, problems like fertilizer shortages will continue to recur. This is precisely why decisive action is imperative. Public institutions must be strengthened and those entrusted with critical duties must be held accountable. The Prime Minister cannot be expected to personally intervene every time basic responsibilities are neglected.
Perennial fertilizer shortage hits farmers hard
A culture of responsibility and enforcement is urgently needed. Failure to supply fertilizer on time has direct consequences: declining agricultural productivity, increased dependence on imports, and discouragement for local farmers. Policies that allow domestic production to stagnate ultimately jeopardize the country’s food security and economic independence. There is no excuse for inaction when even the Prime Minister himself is urging delivery. Nepal must act decisively to resolve this long-standing issue. All necessary measures—policy reform, institutional accountability, and strict oversight—must be implemented immediately to ensure that fertilizer reaches farmers on time, every year. The recurring shortages have persisted for far too long. All necessary measures must be taken immediately: improve procurement systems, strengthen logistics, enforce accountability and ensure timely distribution. Only then can Nepal’s agricultural sector thrive, and farmers can be confident that their government is committed to supporting them. The time for words has passed. Action is imperative. The recurring fertilizer shortage must be stopped once and for all.
