Ministry of Agriculture Promotes Organic Fertilizers to Reduce Chemical Use
Summary
The Ministry of Agriculture, Forest and Environment is pushing a policy to reduce chemical fertilizer use and expand organic and biological alternatives to protect soil health and support sustainable production. The government is also offering incentives for producers and working with local, provincial, and international partners to build a more systematic fertilizer market over the next three to four years.
Key Points
- The ministry wants to minimize chemical fertilizer use and promote organic and biological fertilizers under a new policy framework.
- Officials say fertilizer demand in Nepal has risen two to three times in the past decade, increasing pressure on soil health and supply chains.
- The government is offering incentives for organic fertilizer producers, including tax exemptions and matching grants, and is coordinating further support with the Finance Ministry.
- Programs such as green manure cultivation, natural farming training, and an ecological agriculture project in multiple provinces are underway.
