June 24: Kathmandu University has signed an agreement with the state government of Bagmati Province to conduct a feasibility study on production of urea, a chemical fertilizer which is extensively used in Nepal.

The two sides signed an agreement to this effect amid a programme on Thursday.

According to the Ministry of Livestock and Poultry Development of Bagmati Province, Minister for Livestock Development Basundhara Humagain and Vice Chancellor of the University Prof Dr Bhola Thapa signed the agreement to conduct the feasibility study and detailed project report on production of urea.

Minister Humagain reportedly said that the process of setting up a urea fertilizer plant will be taken forward on the basis of the feasibility study. According to the minister, the feasibility study is expected to be completed within six months.   

Setting up a plant would boost production of urea in the context that Nepal has been facing shortage of fertilizer every year. Farmers have complained that their production has declined due to lack of fertilizer. Authorities responsible for importing chemical fertilizer have been blaming the Ukraine-Russia war for the delay is supply of fertilizer. However, the shortage of fertilizer is not a new problem in Nepal.