KATHMANDU: The Ministry of Agriculture, Forest and Environment has formed a study task force to identify the legal and policy frameworks required to ensure a buy-back guarantee for chemical fertilizers produced within Nepal.
Minister for Agriculture, Forest and Environment Gita Chaudhary made the ministerial-level decision on Thursday to establish the committee. The task force includes experts from the ministries of agriculture, finance, industry and energy, along with representatives from the Public Procurement Monitoring Office.
While plans to establish a chemical fertilizer plant in Nepal are underway to reduce reliance on imports, there is currently no clear legal provision to guarantee the purchase of domestically produced fertilizer. The ministry stated that the task force was formed to address this gap and identify the necessary legal and institutional pathways.
The committee is tasked with studying market security for domestic fertilizer, the feasibility of government procurement, and existing policy frameworks. It is required to submit a comprehensive report with recommendations within 30 days.
Based on the findings of this report, the government intends to proceed with necessary legal amendments and institutional arrangements.
