Subsidized fertilizer sold at double price

POKHARA, June 3: Chemical fertilizer provided by the government at subsidy is being sold at double the original price. The fertilizer, which should be reaching farmers through cooperative shops and corporations, is being sold at different agro-vet centres at expensive rates.

Farmers are complaining about the blackmarketing in fertilizer like Urea, DAP and Potash at a time when crops are being cultivated. “Companies say the fertilizer is sold out and we are compelled to buy from the local market at double the price,” says one farmer.

The government decided on March 25 to sell 100,000 metric tons of chemical fertilizer to farmers at subsidy through cooperative shops. The total requirement of fertilizer in Nepal is 500,000 metric tons during the cultivation season.

Farmers say that they are made to pay extra in a blackmarket created by companies manufacturing the chemical fertilizer and by businessmen. The companies, however, say they have been giving the fertilizer only to authorized cooperative shops and cooperatives.

The lack of fertilizer at a proper price has led to active investigation by a monitoring committee. The committee has started taking statements from the businessmen and manufacturing companies.

Pushpa Raj Paudel, administrative officer at the district administration office who is with the monitoring committee, agreed that fertilizer that should be reaching farmers through cooperatives has been found in the market. He also added that businessmen suspected of selling the fertilizer are being taken under control and an investigation has started.

He disclosed that fertilizer found in the market is from companies like Harabhara Krishi Concern, Bastola Agro-Vet Center, Krishi Samagri Bhandar and Bhimkali Agro-Vet. About 50 sacks of fertilizer, said to have been given to Shivalaya Saving and Credit Cooperative, was found being sold by Bastola Agro-vet.

The directors of the agro-vet are giving out the excuse that they themselves are taking care of fertilizer belonging to the cooperatives. Some members of cooperatives as well are found to be selling the fertilizer at higher prices.

The district administration office has taken a statement from Khageshwar Panta, director of Harabhara Krishi Concern who is found to be selling fertilizer in the name of Bhrikuti Saving and Credit Cooperative where he is a member. He claims to be selling the fertilizer with permission from the cooperative.

Similarly, Gyanendra Chalise, director of Nepal Krishi Samagri Bhandar, says that he has brought the fertilizer from Chitwan and Birgunj and not from the company. He claimed that it was brought before the company started making fertilizer in Pokhara.

Companies manufacturing the fertilizer claim that they are providing fertilizer to farmers free of cost on the basis of their land ownership certificates or tax payment receipt.

“We have no idea who is selling the fertilizer. We provide the cooperative with valid documents and it´s none of our concern what they do with the fertilizer after taking it from us,” said Shanti Paudel, manager of the regional office of the manufacturing companies who accuses businessmen of selling the fertilizer in the market.

Source: http://www.myrepublica.com/portal/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=19456