KATHMANDU, March 15: Farmers' associations and organizations including those affiliated to the Nepali Congress and CPN-UML have demanded the government to immediately withdraw the decision to cut the subsidy given to farmers for the purchase of fertilizers.
On Wednesday, the Congress-affiliated Federation of Nepal Farmers, UML-affiliated All Nepal Peasants Federation and Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP)-affiliated Nepal National Democratic Farmers' Organization organised a joint press conference in Kathmandu demanding the government to immediately withdraw the decision.
Farmers worried by fertilizer shortage
According to Prem Dangal, chairman of Nepal National Farmers Commission, they have decided to submit a memorandum to the prime minister on Friday in this regard. He added that this is the only subsidy the farmers are entitled to and urged the government to revoke the decision. According to Dangal, they have decided to form a joint struggle committee of farmers at the local level across the country and to launch sit-ins, processions, and strike.
He also warned that the protests will continue until their demands are met.
On March 10 , the Government of Nepal decided to cut the subsidy given to farmers for the purchase of chemical fertilizers. Unions and organizations related to the rights of farmers across the country have started protesting against the government's decision and have been demanding its immediate withdrawal. In the press conference, the farmers’ representatives also reminded the government to implement the decision to establish a fertilizer factory immediately.
