New Delhi [India], July 28 (ANI): Union Minister for Chemicals and Fertilisers, JP Nadda, has assured that 1.35 lakh metric tonnes of urea required for Karnataka will be supplied within the next 10 to 15 days, said former Chief Minister and current Member of Parliament, Basavaraj Bommai.
Addressing a joint press conference in New Delhi alongside BJP MPs from Karnataka, Bommai highlighted the acute fertiliser shortage facing farmers in the state.
“Farmers in Karnataka are not receiving urea on time. This is not a sudden problem. Due to favourable monsoon and pre-monsoon rains this year, a large number of farmers have taken up maize cultivation. The area under maize has increased by 1.5%. The Agriculture Department is aware of this and has acknowledged the increase,” Bommai said.
He explained that while the usual demand for urea begins in July and continues into August, the early onset of rains in the third week of June triggered premature fertiliser demand.
“Typically, farmers apply urea once. But this time, subsequent rainfall after the first application has prompted second and even third applications. This repeated use has imposed a significant financial burden on farmers. Additionally, with the spread of weeds in maize fields and a shortage of labourers, farmers are also being forced to spend on herbicides,” he noted.
The situation has caused long queues at fertiliser dealer shops across the state, leading to farmer frustration and protests. Bommai said the crisis is severe in about eight districts and moderate in three to four others.
He criticised the state Agriculture Department for failing to anticipate climatic changes and maintain an adequate buffer stock.
“Based on last year’s fertiliser usage, the department should have projected this year’s demand and prepared accordingly. While the Centre supplies fertilisers up to the nearest yard via railway wagons, the responsibility for local distribution lies with the state government. Mismanagement in this process has created the current crisis. The Agriculture Department failed to understand and assess the anticipated demand,” he stated.
Bommai further alleged widespread corruption in the fertiliser distribution system in Karnataka.
“Urea is available in the state, but farmers can’t access it. Wealthier farmers are buying it at inflated prices, while small and marginal farmers are left to queue outside shops. There is unauthorised hoarding and black-market sales. Corruption is rampant, and officials lack accurate district-wise demand data. These administrative failures are causing immense hardship to farmers,” he said.
He revealed that Karnataka currently holds 1.35 lakh metric tonnes of urea in stock, which, if properly managed, could address the crisis. He urged the state government to channel distribution through cooperative societies and warned against unethical sales practices.
“The Centre has issued clear instructions that no farmer should be forced to buy other fertilisers as a condition to receive urea. Licenses of dealers involved in such link-sales should be cancelled. Unfortunately, the state government has taken no action. Farmers are already suffering—additional burdens should not be imposed on them,” Bommai said.
He pointed out that the total fertiliser demand for the Kharif season is 11.17 lakh metric tonnes. By the end of July, 6.25 lakh metric tonnes should have been distributed, but only 5.35 lakh metric tonnes have been supplied so far.
Currently, Karnataka has 8.82 lakh metric tonnes of fertiliser in stock, of which the state government claims to have distributed 7.74 lakh metric tonnes—suggesting they had a buffer stock all along.
Bommai and other BJP MPs met Union Minister JP Nadda earlier in the day to discuss the fertiliser issue. The minister promptly held discussions with senior officials and assured that 1.35 lakh metric tonnes of urea would be supplied to Karnataka.
“Instructions will be issued to companies like Coromandel and Madras Fertilisers. Of the promised quantity, 16,000 metric tonnes are being dispatched today itself. A daily supply of 15,000 to 20,000 metric tonnes will continue over the next 10 to 15 days,” Bommai confirmed. (ANI)
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