New Delhi: Union Minister for Chemicals and Fertilizers J.P. Nadda has promised that 1.35 lakh metric tonnes of urea required for Karnataka will be supplied within the next 10 to 15 days, said former Chief Minister and MP Basavaraj Bommai.
Speaking at a joint press conference held today in New Delhi along with BJP MPs from Karnataka here on Monday, he said farmers in Karnataka are not getting urea on time. This is not a sudden problem. Due to good monsoon and pre-monsoon rains this year, a large number of farmers are cultivating maize. The area under maize cultivation has increased by 1.5 per cent . The agriculture department is aware of this and has acknowledged it. Normally, the demand for urea starts from July and continues till August. But since the rains began in the third week of June itself, the demand for fertilizers also started early
He said usually, farmers apply urea once. But this time, after the first application, it rained again, prompting a second and even third round of application. Repeated application of urea has placed a financial burden on farmers. In addition, due to weeds growing in maize crops, and a shortage of laborers, they are also having to spend on herbicides. This has further increased the financial burden on farmers. Moreover, long queues in front of fertilizer dealer shops during day and night have caused frustration, prompting intense protests from farmers. This issue is acute in around eight districts and moderate in three or four others.
Failure of Agri Dept
The former CM said the Agriculture Department should have anticipated the climatic changes and maintained a buffer stock. Based on the fertilizer usage of the previous year, the department should have calculated this year’s requirement and stockpiled accordingly. While the Centre ensures the supply of fertilizer up to the nearest yard via railway wagons, it is the responsibility of the state government to handle distribution. Mismanagement has occurred in this distribution process. The Agriculture Department has failed to understand and assess the anticipated demand of farmers.
Corruption
The MP said there is rampant corruption in fertilizer distribution in the state. Urea is available in Karnataka, but farmers are unable to access it. Wealthier farmers are purchasing urea at higher prices, while small and marginal farmers are forced to stand in queues in front of shops. Unauthorized hoarding and black-market sales of urea at inflated prices are taking place. There is significant corruption. Officials lack information on district-wise demand. Due to administrative lapses, farmers are facing severe distress.
Link sales must be stopped
Bommai said there are 1.35 lakh metric tonnes of urea stock in Karnataka. If managed properly, this can solve the urgent fertilizer crisis for farmers. The state government should distribute this through co-operative societies. The Centre has issued clear orders that no farmer should be compelled to buy other fertilizers in order to receive urea. Licenses of dealers who indulge in such link-sales should be cancelled. However, the state government has not taken any action. Farmers are already in distress. The state government is imposing an additional burden on them. The state must supply urea without linking it to the purchase of other fertilizers.
Ensure proper distribution
He said the demand for fertilizers for the Kharif season is 11.17 lakh metric tonnes. By the end of July, 6.25 lakh metric tonnes should have been distributed. So far, 5.35 lakh metric tonnes have been supplied. Currently, Karnataka has 8.82 lakh metric tonnes of fertilizer, out of which the state government claims to have distributed 7.74 lakh metric tonnes. This suggests that they had buffer stock. The Centre now has to supply the remaining 1.35 lakh metric tonnes. Today, they met Union Minister for Chemicals and Fertilizers J.P. Nadda and discussed the fertilizer issue in the state. The minister immediately held discussions with officials and assured that action will be taken to supply 1.35 lakh metric tonnes of urea to Karnataka. He said instructions will be given to companies like Coromandel and Madras Fertilizers, and that 1.35 lakh metric tonnes of urea will be supplied within 10 to 15 days. Today itself, 16,000 metric tonnes are being dispatched. Daily supply of 15,000 to 20,000 metric tonnes will continue.
The MP said the state government must assess the demand at the district, taluk, and village levels and ensure proper supply. Farmers should not be made to stand in long queues. Shops illegally selling fertilizers must be raided and criminal cases filed against them. Illegally hoarded fertilizers should be confiscated and distributed to farmers. The licenses of such dealers must be cancelled. If fertilizers are supplied to the places where demand exists, the urea shortage can be resolved.
MPs Govind Karjol, Kota Srinivas Poojary, Dr. C.N. Manjunath, P.C. Gaddigowdar, Vishweshwar Hegde Kageri, and Rajya Sabha MP Iranna Kadadi were present.
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