August 17: It will take another 20 days for the full consignment of Nepal-bound urea fertilizers to enter the country due to the delay in ports of India. The fertilizers, which are being imported by the agriculture ministry, were stuck at a port in Gujrat for four months before finally arriving at Kolkata port about two weeks ago.

Out of 21,500 metric tons of urea purchased by the ministry, only 250 metric tons is arriving in Birgunj on Monday (August 17). The country is currently reeling under acute shortage of urea, which is essential for good harvest.

The total demand for urea this season is 30,000 metric tons but the ministry has a stock of very little urea left.

Senior agriculture expert Sishir Pun told New Business Age that the Nepal-bound urea will take at least 20 more days to arrive here from Kolkata.

Salt Trading Corporation had purchased the chemical fertilizers from Dubai-based Multi Commodities before the lockdown. The goods got stranded in Gujrat due to the lockdown imposed by the governments of both India and Nepal.

Farmers require urea after plantation of paddy.