Most cooperatives in Nawalparasi have yet to collect urea fertilizer supplied to the district, leaving farmers unable to access it.

According to the Agriculture Inputs Company’s Parasi branch, 215 metric tons of urea was sent to the district on Aug 4 via the province ministry. However, as of Tuesday morning, only 79.8 metric tons had been collected by cooperatives, with 135.2 metric tons still in storage. Out of 79 cooperatives in seven municipalities, only 34 have taken delivery.

Under the existing system, local fertilizer supply and distribution committees—coordinated by vice chairpersons or deputy mayors—assign cooperatives the responsibility of purchasing fertilizer from the Agriculture Inputs Company and selling it to farmers. Despite this arrangement, many cooperatives have shown little urgency in collecting the supply.

Deputy Mayor of Ramgram Municipality, Samjhana Chaudhary, acknowledged delays, saying some cooperatives cited a lack of funds. She said they would be instructed to collect the fertilizer immediately. Similarly, Susta Rural Municipality Vice-chairperson Gita Chaudhary said they had already directed cooperatives to arrange funds and take delivery promptly. Sarawal Rural Municipality Vice-chairperson Basmati Harijan reported that most cooperatives in her area had already collected their quota, and the rest would do so within a day or two.

Farmers have also criticized the fertilizer distribution system in some local units. While some areas distribute through cooperatives and dealers, others use a coupon system managed by ward chairs. Farmers allege that this system often benefits only the ward chair’s close associates and is the most opaque method of distribution.