Nuapada: Even as farming activities are peaking up, farmers in various parts of Nuapada district faced a severe shortage of fertilizers. Amid reports of black marketing of fertilisers, the administration is said to be conducting raids on hoarders, a report said.
The farmers observed when it is right time to apply fertilizers in paddy fields, fertilizer shortage has hit farming activities.
They pointed out that the government had made a provision to supply fertilizers at subsidized rates through agriculture department and the cooperative societies, but this has become a farce.
They also alleged that fertilizer traders, companies and officials of the agriculture department have formed a racket that has been creating an artificial shortage of fertilizers so that farmers will be bound to buy fertilizers at high prices from open market.
Such a mess in fertilizer supply has come at a time when the post of district agriculture officer is lying vacant. An agriculture officer from Kharial is looking after the duties of the DAO.
Reports said, the artificial shortage of fertilizer has affected farmers in Belatukuri, Sarabanga, Dharambandha, Parkoda, Sahipallla, Udyanbandh, Pendarabandh, Budhikomana, Boden, Sinapalli and Sanamaheswar. Farmers alleged that black marketers are taking advantage of the situation and selling fertilizers at high prices.
Transplantation of paddy has already been completed in the district and the standing crops badly require fertiliser. Urea should be applied within 15 days of transplantation, but there is a scarcity of urea in the district, it is said.
Farmers demanded immediate supply of fertilizer as paddy crops badly required urea at the present stage for growth of its plants.
“Urea is not available with the dealers and the primary agricultural co-operative societies (PACS) in the district. If the fertilizer is not applied in the right time, it will affect the growth of paddy plants and the yield,” they said.
On the other hand, the administration has sealed some fertilizers godowns, but this action of the administration is a gimmick, farmers alleged.
It was learnt that in the current year, the district requires 9000 metric tonnes of urea, but the quantity of fertilizers supplied is much less.
The district has received 2500 quintals of fertilizers in the first phase and 1250 quintals in the second phase.
As per guidelines, half of fertilizers should be supplied to cooperative societies for farmers.
Of 12,500 tonnes of fertilizer supplies in the second phase, only 4350 quintals were given to cooperative societies while 8,150 quintals were provided to authorized dealers.
“As farmers fail to get fertilizers at cooperative societies, they have to buy from traders at Rs 280/290 per packet while a packet of fertilizer should be sold at Rs 266.50,” farmers said.
Following allegations, the administration has started raids at different places. DAO-in-charge, Narottam Behera said the allegations will be probed.
PNN
