Sambalpur: While deficit rainfall has affected paddy farming in some parts of Sambalpur district, farmers have alleged that black-marketing of fertilizers has become a cause of concern for them when farming activities are peaking up.
They have demanded raids on dealer points and regular checking of fertiliser stocks. According to reports, price of a packet of urea is officially fixed at Rs 267 while the same is sold for Rs 600 in the market.
Black marketeers are raking in the moolah.
They alleged that unscrupulous dealers are creating a shortage of fertilizers with tacit support from the department while agriculture and civil supplies officials do not take stock of the situation, Farmers have to return emptyhanded from primary agriculture cooperative societies and large area primary agriculture cooperative societies where urea is not available now.
Ashok Pradhan, convener of Paschima Odisha Krushak Sangathan, said both the state and the central governments have been doing their own publicity through various platforms about welfare programmes and schemes for farmers.
“But their claims stands in sharp contrast with the current situation. In fact, farmers have to face a tough time without getting urea when they need it. PACSs and LAMPs do not have fertilisers while traders sell the same at high price. Farmers can’t wait for government supply of urea at this critical time. Hence, they are bound to buy the fertiliser at high price,” Pradhan observed.
During the kharif season, the district requires about 15,000 metric tonnes while the district has received much less.
According to official sources, 83 agencies including cooperative societies, LAMPSs and dealers have been issued licenses to sell fertilisers. Authorized dealers can buy fertilisers directly from companies while cooperative societies are supplied the same through Markfed.
In rural areas, dealers allegedly sell urea packets at doubled price. Farmers alleged that the agriculture department has failed to act against black marketers and raids on dealer points.
However, DRCS Lingaraj Nayak said there is no allegation about shortage of urea in cooperative societies. Fertiliser is distributed as per official guidelines. If more fertilizer is required, there will be provision for it,” he added.
Like previous years, farmers in many parts of the district have been facing difficulties in availing fertilisers as per their needs.
PNN
