Govt to set up quarantine test labs

Kathmandu: Minister for Agriculture and Livestock Development Chakrapani Khanal has said that this season is witnessing a shortfall of about 350,000 metric tons of chemical fertilizer in the country.

In a programme at Kathmandu on Monday, Minister Khanal shared that Nepal does not have chemical fertilizer (urea) producing industry, which requires over one billion rupees to be established.

He further shared that the Ministry has allocated Rs 160 million to import chemical fertilizers in current fiscal year 2019/20.

Minister Khanal also said that the youths have been mobilized to increase attraction towards the agro sector, and also to lessen the barren lands which account for 42 per cent of the agricultural lands in the country.

He said that the Ministry has allocated a fund of Rs 150 million to establish the quarantine facilities in various parts of the country.