Nepal Agriculture Crisis 2026

The Nepalese government planned to import 210,000 metric tonnes of chemical fertilizer by mid-August to support paddy cultivation and prevent shortages. Imports included 120,000 tonnes of urea and 60,000 tonnes of diammonium phosphate from global tenders, plus 30,000 tonnes of urea from India under a bilateral agreement.

Only about 63% of Nepal's 2.53 million hectares of irrigable farmland had irrigation facilities amid delayed monsoon rains, leading to drying seedlings and slower paddy transplantation. Expansion of irrigation infrastructure lagged, with only 4,048 hectares added out of a 6,750-hectare target this fiscal year.

Nepal faced drought conditions due to delayed monsoons impacting paddy cultivation, coupled with a severe shortage of chemical fertilizers caused by global supply disruptions. The government distributed up to 5,000 tons of fertilizer daily and implemented digital tracking for its distribution.

Monsoon arrived late and stalled after reaching Lumbini Province, delaying paddy transplantation and causing water shortages. Rising fuel and production costs increased farming expenses, while groundwater extraction restrictions affected irrigation.