MP farmers face fertiliser shortage

With 28 per cent of the land still to be sown, Madhya Pradesh farmers are facing an acute shortage of urea and other fertilisers.

Even though the state is likely to register a fall in fertiliser offtake, as six cases of farmers forcefully unloading urea have been reported from various areas.

Fertiliser consumption is likely to fall to 62.42 kg per hectare against 75.32 kg per hectare last year. Urea consumption is also likely to slip from 1,064 kg per hectare to 985.2 kg per hectare.

Almost all divisions and districts of the state are facing shortage. "I admit that there is a shortage of urea to an extent of 1.60 lakh metric tonnes," said Pravesh Sharma of the agriculture department. He assured that "the Centre will supply at least 45,000 metric tonnes of urea within a week."

The agriculture department has demanded 17 lakh tonnes of fertilisers this year. This includes 8 lakh tonnes of urea. A week ago, according to a senior government official, "4.68 lakh tonnes of urea was distributed to farmers till last week."

The official added, "Shortage of railway rack is one of the reasons for shortage of fertilisers in the state." The state agriculture and the co-operative department ensures urea supply through marketing federation societies.

According to a report: "Farmers forcefully unloaded a local co-operative body truck in Sheopur district recently."

Similar incidents have also been reported in Seoni, Ratlam and Datia districts. Police sources have confirmed the reports partially but said, "the police in the state are on the alert to maintain law and order."