Farmers face Urea shortage amid allegations of diversion

Metro India News | JUKKAL 

Despite uncertainties in rainfall, farmers continue to cultivate crops every agricultural season. With the ongoing Kharif season entering a crucial stage, the demand for fertilizers has increased significantly, particularly for urea, which is widely used in the Jukkal region. However, farmers are now grappling with an acute shortage of urea, leaving many worried about the health and productivity of their crops.

After urea stocks were exhausted at local cooperative societies, farmers turned to private fertilizer shops in the hope of securing supplies. Many, however, complained that they were unable to purchase urea due to issues related to the fertilizer distribution system, leaving them with few alternatives. Meanwhile, allegations have surfaced that urea is being illegally transported from the Jukkal mandal headquarters to the Mosra and Chandur areas during the night using autorickshaws. 

Farmers allege that while they struggle to obtain the fertilizer by making repeated visits to fertilizer outlets, unscrupulous traders and middlement are illegally shifting urea to neighboring mandals and selling it at inflated prices for substantial profits. They fear that the shortage during this critical stage of crop growth could adversely affect yields if fertilizers are not made available on time. They have also criticized the Agriculture Department, alleging that the illegal transportation of urea has continued unchecked due to inadequate inspections and poor enforcement.

They have further appealed to the government to ensure adequate urea stocks are maintained for local farmers without disruption, prevent illegal sales and diversion, and strengthen surveillance over fertilizer inventories through regular inspections by Agriculture Department officials. Farmers have also demanded stringent measures to curb the activities of black market operators and safeguard the timely availability of fertilizers during the Kharif season.