Nepal’s current Agricultural Development Strategy recognizes the need to increase the levels of soil organic matter for productive and sustainable agriculture, and the important role commercial organic fertilizers can play in that process. It advocates for a gradual shift from chemical intensive to more sustainable farming systems; i.e. application of organic as well as balanced inorganic fertilizers to enable sustained levels of production without degrading the soil and environment. To date there has been limited use of commercial organic fertilizers in Nepal. However, recent research has confirmed that semi-organic fertilizer regimes increase yield and enterprises producing organic fertilizers and other soil improvers can be viable. Research has also shown that farmers will use such products if the quality and availability can be assured. This article analyses the situation in Nepal and proposes market-based strategies for policy makers to address the quality and availability issues so that organic matter markets can drive a transition to more productive, sustainable (agroecological), and inclusive agriculture, and thereby enable progress towards agriculture, nutrition, and poverty targets in the SDGs.

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Shrestha, R.K. (2010) ‘Fertiliser policy development in Nepal’, Journal of Agriculture and Environment 11: 126–37 <http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/aej.v11i0.3660>.

Tripathi, B.P. (2002) ‘Review of acid soil and its management in Nepal’, in Proceedings of the Third National Conference on Science and Technology, pp. 48–60, Lalitpur, Kathmandu: Nepal Academy of Science and Technology.

Thapa, Y.B. (2006) Constraints and Approach for Improving Fertilizer Supply for Meeting Domestic Demand, Economic Policy Network Policy Paper 30, Kathmandu, Nepal: Ministry of Finance.

AICL (Agriculture Input Company Limited) (2013) ‘Fertiliser import and distribution’ [online], AICL <www.aicl.org.np> [accessed 5 March 2016].

Agriculture Project Services Centre (APROSC) and John Mellor Associates, Inc (JMA) (1995) Nepal Agriculture Perspective Plan, Singha Durbar, Kathmandu: National Planning Commission Secretariat.

ADB (Asian Development Bank) (1995) Nepal Agricultural Perspective Plan [pdf], Final report prepared for the National Planning Commission and Asian Development Bank (T.A. No 1854-NEP) <http://lib.icimod.org/record/4168/files/APROSC%20Nepalagricultureperspectiveplan630AGN.pdf> [accessed 29 June 2016].

ADB (2013) Nepal: Agricultural Development Strategy: Final Report [pdf], Technical Assistance Consultant’s Report, Kathmandu: ADB <www.adb.org/sites/default/files/project-document/78233/43447-022-nep-tacr-01.pdf> [accessed 21 September 2016].

BARC (Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council) (2012) Fertilizer Recommendation Guide, 2012, Dhaka, Bangladesh: Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council (BARC).

FAO (2014) Final Report for the International Symposium on Agroecology for Food Security and Nutrition [pdf], Rome: FAO <www.fao.org/3/a-i4327e.pdf> [accessed 29 June 2016].

Government of Nepal (2012/13) Statistical information on Nepalese agriculture, Singha Durbar, Kathmandu: Ministry of Agriculture Development, Agribusiness Promotion and Statistics Division.

Mazumdar, N.B. (2012) Technical Assistance Consultant’s Report, Manila, Philippines: Asian Development Bank.

Ministry of Agricultural Development (2016) Agriculture Development Strategy (final report), Singha Durbar, Kathmandu: Ministry of Agricultural Development.

Practical Action (2016) A research study report on Market System Analysis of Organic Fertilizer in Nepal, Rugby, UK: Practical Action.

Shrestha, R.K. (2010) ‘Fertiliser policy development in Nepal’, Journal of Agriculture and Environment 11: 126–37 <http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/aej.v11i0.3660>.

Tripathi, B.P. (2002) ‘Review of acid soil and its management in Nepal’, in Proceedings of the Third National Conference on Science and Technology, pp. 48–60, Lalitpur, Kathmandu: Nepal Academy of Science and Technology.

Thapa, Y.B. (2006) Constraints and Approach for Improving Fertilizer Supply for Meeting Domestic Demand, Economic Policy Network Policy Paper 30, Kathmandu, Nepal: Ministry of Finance.

AICL (Agriculture Input Company Limited) (2013) ‘Fertiliser import and distribution’ [online], AICL <www.aicl.org.np> [accessed 5 March 2016].

Agriculture Project Services Centre (APROSC) and John Mellor Associates, Inc (JMA) (1995) Nepal Agriculture Perspective Plan, Singha Durbar, Kathmandu: National Planning Commission Secretariat.

ADB (Asian Development Bank) (1995) Nepal Agricultural Perspective Plan [pdf], Final report prepared for the National Planning Commission and Asian Development Bank (T.A. No 1854-NEP) <http://lib.icimod.org/record/4168/files/APROSC%20Nepalagricultureperspectiveplan630AGN.pdf> [accessed 29 June 2016].

ADB (2013) Nepal: Agricultural Development Strategy: Final Report [pdf], Technical Assistance Consultant’s Report, Kathmandu: ADB <www.adb.org/sites/default/files/project-document/78233/43447-022-nep-tacr-01.pdf> [accessed 21 September 2016].

BARC (Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council) (2012) Fertilizer Recommendation Guide, 2012, Dhaka, Bangladesh: Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council (BARC).

FAO (2014) Final Report for the International Symposium on Agroecology for Food Security and Nutrition [pdf], Rome: FAO <www.fao.org/3/a-i4327e.pdf> [accessed 29 June 2016].

Government of Nepal (2012/13) Statistical information on Nepalese agriculture, Singha Durbar, Kathmandu: Ministry of Agriculture Development, Agribusiness Promotion and Statistics Division.

Mazumdar, N.B. (2012) Technical Assistance Consultant’s Report, Manila, Philippines: Asian Development Bank.

Ministry of Agricultural Development (2016) Agriculture Development Strategy (final report), Singha Durbar, Kathmandu: Ministry of Agricultural Development.

Practical Action (2016) A research study report on Market System Analysis of Organic Fertilizer in Nepal, Rugby, UK: Practical Action.

Shrestha, R.K. (2010) ‘Fertiliser policy development in Nepal’, Journal of Agriculture and Environment 11: 126–37 <http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/aej.v11i0.3660>.

Tripathi, B.P. (2002) ‘Review of acid soil and its management in Nepal’, in Proceedings of the Third National Conference on Science and Technology, pp. 48–60, Lalitpur, Kathmandu: Nepal Academy of Science and Technology.

Thapa, Y.B. (2006) Constraints and Approach for Improving Fertilizer Supply for Meeting Domestic Demand, Economic Policy Network Policy Paper 30, Kathmandu, Nepal: Ministry of Finance.