Kathmandu, Dec. 24 -- Nepal has revived talks for a chemical fertiliser offtake agreement with India under which it will buy a fixed amount of plant nourishers from the southern neighbour over a long term period to avoid recurring shortages during the peak growing season. The accord will be secured through a government-to-government deal, officials said.

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

Shree Ram Ghimire, spokesperson for the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development, told the Post that talks had started with India...