Govt asks cos to sell fertilisers on credit to farmers

The government has directed companies to sell fertilisers to farmers on credit basis in places if there are no cash or banking services in order to ensure that farmers do not face problem in buying soil nutrients in this rabi season due to demonetisation.
The companies have also been told to ensure cooperative societies, dealers and retailers accept "all modes of payment" like cheque, credit and debit cards from farmers.
Asserting that there is adequate supply of fertilisers in the country for the ongoing rabi season, the government said instructions have been issued to ensure smooth sale of fertilisers.
At present, sowing of rabi crops like wheat, pulses and oilseeds is underway. The Centre has already allowed farmers to use old Rs 500 notes to buy seeds, but not fertilisers.

"Government of India is making all out efforts to ensure that fertilisers are readily made available to farmers as per their demand without any problem," Fertiliser Minister Ananth Kumar said in a statement.
State Chief Secretaries and Agriculture Commissioners have been directed "to ensure that all cooperative societies, private retailers/ wholesalers provide fertilisers to farmers through all modes of payments like on credit as well as through credit card, debit card, cheque, etc," he said.
The Minister further said that "strict instructions" have been given to all fertiliser manufacturers and importers to ensure that all modes of payments are accepted by all concerned dealers, wholesalers and retailers.

That apart, Kumar said: "Fertilisers companies have been directed to see that in case any kind of problem is noticed anywhere in the country due to non-availability of cash/banking services, farmers should be provided fertilisers on credit basis and for that all necessary arrangements be made by them.