Kathmandu, Jan. 6 -- The government is working to create buffer stocks of chemical fertilisers in each of the seven provinces to ensure that farmers have adequate supply at all times. The scheme is slated to come this fiscal year, officials said.

Chemical fertiliser has become a political commodity, and Nepali farmers have been plagued by regular shortages when they need the plant nutrients the most, severely slashing their income and hitting the country's economic growth which largely depends on agriculture.

Scarcities have been recurring annually during the peak crop planting period, especially in recent years with more Nepali farmers going into commercial farming which has pushed up demand.

When the border with India was tightened d...