Rupandehi farmers grapple with fertiliser shortage after dry spell
Summary
Farmers in Rupandehi are struggling with a fertiliser shortage following a dry spell, facing high prices on a black market due to scarce local supplies and smuggling from India.
Key Points
- Farmers in Rupandehi face fertiliser shortages after last month's dry spell, leading to a black market for fertiliser.
- Indian urea is sold at two to three times the subsidised price, reaching up to Rs3,500 per bag through black market channels.
- Local cooperatives struggle to meet demand, distributing only a fraction of the fertiliser required by households.
- Authorities acknowledge smuggling and black marketing issues and state that enforcement and monitoring at the border are ongoing.
