KATHMANDU: Farmers in Siraha are facing difficulties in accessing chemical fertilizers, despite ample stocks at the Lahan-based Agricultural Inputs Company Limited warehouse.

The delay stems from the Madhes Province Ministry of Land Management, Agriculture, and Cooperatives’ failure to allocate and approve fertilizer quotas for local levels.

Branch Manager of the Agricultural Inputs Company, Deepraj Poudel, explained that the distribution is stalled because the Ministry has not finalized the quantity of fertilizers to be distributed.

“The Ministry needs to send directives to local levels based on the cultivated land’s total area. Once the official letter is received, we will immediately begin the distribution process,” Poudel said.

While farmers in Madhes Province await supplies, the Koshi Province government has already allocated quotas and quantities, allowing timely fertilizer distribution to districts like Khotang, Okhaldhunga, and Solukhumbu.

The warehouse currently holds 500 metric tonnes of DAP and 700 metric tonnes of urea, enough to meet the demand. However, farmers in Siraha have been unable to access these vital agricultural inputs during the critical wheat-growing season, raising concerns about potential crop yield losses.

Farmers have urged the provincial ministry to expedite the allocation process to ensure timely distribution and avoid further disruption to their farming schedules.