Himal Press 
KATHMANDU: The government has reversed its decision to cut subsidies on chemical fertilizers.
The cabinet meeting, held on Monday, decided to maintain the current subsidy rate of 70.82% on fertilizers, instead of implementing the earlier decision to reduce it by 11.8%.
The agriculture sector in Nepal needs approximately 520,000 tons of chemical fertilizers annually. However, due to the unavailability of subsidized fertilizers in the cropping season, farmers are forced to purchase substandard products at higher prices.
The decision to cut subsidies had made urea dearer by Rs 11 per kg, while DAP and potash would have been costlier by Rs 7 and Rs 9 per kg, respectively.
Agriculture ministry officials say that the cabinet has also decided to take necessary decisions on subsidies after conducting a detailed study in the future.
This decision to maintain subsidies on chemical fertilizers will provide relief to farmers who were already struggling with low crop yields due to adverse weather conditions.
