Fertilisers not on ‘essential commodity’ list as paddy farmers wait anxiously

Decision to block supply can have an overarching effect, as it may hit paddy crop, and slash economic growth in turn.

Every morning, farmer Dipak Bhurtel of Tilottama-6, Rupandehi in western Nepal wakes up early and customarily rings up several cooperatives and state-run depots asking if they have resumed the supply of paddy seeds and chemical fertilisers.