Kathmandu, 25 September (H.S.): Nepal Prime Minister Balendra Shah has questioned the inequality in the global supply system, saying that while an efficient and rapid system exists for supplying weapons around the world, the mechanisms for delivering fertiliser and fuel to farmers remain inadequate.

Addressing the 81st United Nations General Assembly on Friday morning, Prime Minister Shah said that intercontinental missiles, rifles and ammunition can be delivered to any part of the world on schedule, but farmers in Nepal are unable to purchase fertiliser and fuel at market prices even when they urgently need them.

“We have created a world with flawless logistics systems for war and fragmented logistics systems for food,” Shah said. He argued that people who can afford to pay for an essential commodity should have the opportunity to obtain it. He said that when the world can deliver weapons anywhere within 72 hours, there can be no justification for depriving farmers of the means to earn a dignified livelihood.

The Prime Minister linked the issue to climate justice and the global economic order, saying that people in vulnerable and developing countries are being forced to bear the burden of crises they did not create. He said climate change is affecting countries such as Nepal, while weaknesses in global supply chains are placing additional pressure on poorer populations.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar