Bhairahawa, Aug. 1 -- Farmers in the border districts of Lumbini province are confused and concerned as substandard and smuggled fertilisers flood local markets, particularly during the peak planting season when state-subsidised chemical fertilisers are not readily available.

Taking advantage of Nepal's open border with India, traders are sneaking in low-quality urea and diammonium phosphate (DAP)-the world's most widely used phosphorus fertiliser-without any quality checks, farmers say. Many also complain that illegal fertilisers are being sold under the guise of organic products.

With Nepal facing recurrent fertiliser shortages, Indian products are entering the country without undergoing standard testing. The domestic market is now sa...