Most farmers in Nawalparasi have already sown rice seeds, and many more are preparing to plant in the coming weeks. However, a persistent shortage of fertilizer has added stress—especially for those relying on pump sets for irrigation due to the lack of proper irrigation infrastructure.
This problem recurs annually. Subsidized fertilizers sent by the government are distributed through cooperatives, based on data provided by local authorities. In the district’s seven local units, fertilizers are distributed through 80 cooperatives.
Rabindranath Chaubey, head of the Agricultural Knowledge Center, said the supply of chemical fertilizers in the district covers less than two-thirds of the total cultivable land. Out of 41,000 hectares of arable land, rice is cultivated on about 21,000 hectares. To meet full demand, the district requires 18,398 tons of urea, 10,657 tons of DAP, and 8,145 tons of potash annually. However, since August, only 3,890.4 tons of urea and 1,684 tons of DAP have been received from the Agriculture Inputs Company and Salt Trading Corporation. That leaves a shortfall of around 15,000 tons of urea and 9,000 tons of DAP.
Tara Prasad Khanal, head of the Agriculture Inputs Company’s Parasi branch, said subsidized fertilizers are sold through cooperatives at Rs 794 per 50kg bag of urea, Rs 2,244 for DAP, and Rs 1,644 for potash. Cooperatives add transport costs to these prices. Although some additional supplies are expected from the company’s provincial office, they have yet to arrive, even as the rice planting season nears peak.
Ramgram Municipality needs 4,256 tons of urea and 1,652 tons of DAP annually. So far, it has received 760.355 tons of urea and 329.13 tons of DAP. Bardaghat Municipality requires 3,462 tons of urea and 1,860 tons of DAP. It has received 493.979 tons of urea and 213.82 tons of DAP.
While Sunwal Municipality needs 1,885 tons of urea and 943 tons of DAP, it has only received 535.773 tons of urea and 231.92 tons of DAP. Palhinandan Rural Municipality requires 1,762 tons of urea and 789 tons of DAP. It has received 418.243 tons of urea and 181.13 tons of DAP.
Similarly, Pratappur Rural Municipality needs 3,340 tons of urea and 2,141 tons of DAP. So far, it has received 631.243 tons of urea and 273.33 tons of DAP. Sarawal Rural Municipality requires 2,733 tons of urea and 1,932 tons of DAP. It has received 549.369 tons of urea and 237.80 tons of DAP. Susta Rural Municipality needs 1,620 tons of urea and 1,340 tons of DAP. It has received 501 tons of urea and 216.88 tons of DAP.
According to the Agricultural Knowledge Center, the significant gap between demand and supply is threatening to affect rice production across the district.
