The Crossbill Team
Farmers across Maharashtra, particularly in the Marathwada region, are grappling with rising fertiliser costs and shortages as disruptions caused by the Russia-Ukraine war and the continuing conflict in West Asia continue to strain global supply chains and push up energy prices.
The crisis has increased input costs for cultivators ahead of the Kharif season, with many reporting difficulties in obtaining key nutrients such as urea and DAP, The Indian Express reported.
Farmers have also been hit by reductions in bag weights and steep price increases. A 10-26-26 compound fertiliser bag, which earlier weighed 50 kg and cost Rs 1,850, now weighs 45 kg and is priced at Rs 2,450.
The issue has now drawn the attention of lawmakers, with BJP MLA Suresh Dhas, Shiv Sena MLA Kailas Patil and NCP (SP) MLA Sandeep Kshirsagar among those who recently met Maharashtra Agriculture Minister Dattatray Bharne to highlight shortages in their constituencies and demand the release of sanctioned stocks.
Bharne acknowledged the concerns, advised representatives to promote alternative fertilisers and assured them that “no constituency would face unfair treatment,” while directing officials to release available stocks to the respective talukas.
According to data from the Maharashtra Agriculture Department, the state has sanctioned fertiliser stocks of 48.80 lakh tonnes, of which 21.86 lakh tonnes remain available. These include 4.77 lakh tonnes of urea, 1.24 lakh tonnes of DAP, 0.84 lakh tonnes of MOP, 10.45 lakh tonnes of complex fertilisers and 4.56 lakh tonnes of mixed fertilisers.
Meanwhile, the Centre's Fertiliser Sale Application System (FSAS), introduced on a pilot basis in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar and Kolhapur districts to streamline distribution, has generated fresh complaints from farmers. The app requires cultivators to book fertilisers in advance and complete biometric verification before receiving supplies.
Acknowledging the technological difficulties, Bharne has directed officials to address the glitches. The Union government has indicated that it plans to rectify the problems and continue fertiliser distribution through the FSAS platform for the rest of the Kharif season.
The crisis has increased input costs for cultivators ahead of the Kharif season, with many reporting difficulties in obtaining key nutrients such as urea and DAP, The Indian Express reported.
Farmers have also been hit by reductions in bag weights and steep price increases. A 10-26-26 compound fertiliser bag, which earlier weighed 50 kg and cost Rs 1,850, now weighs 45 kg and is priced at Rs 2,450.
The issue has now drawn the attention of lawmakers, with BJP MLA Suresh Dhas, Shiv Sena MLA Kailas Patil and NCP (SP) MLA Sandeep Kshirsagar among those who recently met Maharashtra Agriculture Minister Dattatray Bharne to highlight shortages in their constituencies and demand the release of sanctioned stocks.
Bharne acknowledged the concerns, advised representatives to promote alternative fertilisers and assured them that “no constituency would face unfair treatment,” while directing officials to release available stocks to the respective talukas.
According to data from the Maharashtra Agriculture Department, the state has sanctioned fertiliser stocks of 48.80 lakh tonnes, of which 21.86 lakh tonnes remain available. These include 4.77 lakh tonnes of urea, 1.24 lakh tonnes of DAP, 0.84 lakh tonnes of MOP, 10.45 lakh tonnes of complex fertilisers and 4.56 lakh tonnes of mixed fertilisers.
Meanwhile, the Centre's Fertiliser Sale Application System (FSAS), introduced on a pilot basis in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar and Kolhapur districts to streamline distribution, has generated fresh complaints from farmers. The app requires cultivators to book fertilisers in advance and complete biometric verification before receiving supplies.
Acknowledging the technological difficulties, Bharne has directed officials to address the glitches. The Union government has indicated that it plans to rectify the problems and continue fertiliser distribution through the FSAS platform for the rest of the Kharif season.
Comments (0)
Leave a Comment