Kathmandu. The Ministry of Agriculture, Forest and Environment has said that it is facing a big challenge in budget management despite the commitment to not face shortage of chemical fertilizers in the coming season. Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forest and Environment, Dr. Rajendra Prasad Mishra said that it is difficult for the state to bear the burden of the current grant and a new method is being sought to manage it.

At a meeting of the Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee of the parliament on Thursday, Secretary Mishra informed that an action plan has been forwarded for the smooth supply of fertilizers after mid-March.

He said that preparations are being made accordingly as the demand for fertilizers will be very high in the main season from April to June and July to July . According to the ministry, there is a situation to provide a subsidy of up to Rs 120 per kg at the current market price. As a result, a total budget of around Rs 59 billion is required. Although coordination is being made with the Ministry of Finance, the government is struggling to raise such a huge amount.

Similarly, he has expressed serious concern over the complaints that the government-subsidized fertilizer is not reaching the real farmers. Although the government has spent a large amount of money to provide relief to the farmers, the real farmers are complaining that due to the flaws in the distribution system, the real farmers are not getting the fertilizer. He said that despite the lack of budget, the government is making maximum efforts for the welfare of the farmers and pointed out that the distribution system needs to be made transparent and systematic.