Rajasthan: Farmers in Sirohi are angry over the unavailability of fertilizers, alleging hoarding and black marketing.

News Topical, Digital Desk : In Rajasthan's Sirohi district, farmers are facing a serious crisis due to a severe shortage of DAP and urea fertilizers, essential for Rabi crops. The situation is such that farmers are seen wandering from one society to another throughout the day, but they are unable to find fertilizer anywhere. Cooperative societies, which used to be crowded until a few days ago, are now deserted. The lack of fertilizer has caused deep disappointment and anger among farmers.

Farmers say that if fertilizers are not applied to crops at the right time, it will directly impact production and pose a risk of crop failure. Many farmers from Sirohi district have even traveled as far as Gujarat in search of fertilizers, but they have met with disappointment there as well. This severe fertilizer shortage has now become a major problem for farmers.

Black marketing and hoardingaccuse of

Farmers allege that some traders in the district are engaged in black marketing and hoarding. They are deliberately stockpiling fertilizers and charging farmers high prices. Farmers are forced to pay even higher prices to purchase fertilizers. While department officials claim constant monitoring, the ground reality reveals something else.

Officials claim – the situation will improve soon

Shankar Lal Meena, Joint Director of the Agriculture Department, stated that nano urea is available in the district, and approximately 20,000 bags of fertilizer are expected to arrive by next week. He stated that strict and effective action will be taken against any trader found engaging in black marketing. He appealed to farmers to send any video evidence of black marketing to the department.

Why is there a shortage of fertilizer?

According to experts, there are many reasons behind the shortage of fertilizer.

• Sudden increase in demand: Due to sudden increase in demand of DAP in Rabi season, shops got crowded and supply was affected.
• Import dependence: Fertilizers like DAP and potash are entirely imported. International supply disruptions are leading to shortages in the country.
• Delay in supply chain: Many times fertilizers do not reach the states on time, due to which the distribution system gets affected.
• Geopolitical tensions: International tensions and logistical problems are also affecting the supply of fertilizers.
• Rising costs: The prices of fertilizers have also increased due to rising prices of imported raw materials and energy costs.

Growing concern among farmers

The unavailability of fertilizers is causing immense mental distress to farmers. Many say that if fertilizers are not available in time, their hard work could be wasted. Farmers are demanding immediate and concrete measures from the government to provide relief and save their crops.

Read More: Rajasthan: Farmers in Sirohi are angry over the unavailability of fertilizers, alleging hoarding and black marketing.