Shortage of urea and diammonium phosphate in Maharashtra poses challenge in sowing season

Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Jun 25 (PTI) Farmers in Maharashtra are facing a shortage of urea and diammonium phosphate (DAP), two crucial fertilizers used for crop cultivation, which is creating hurdles in the sowing process in the current season, various stakeholders said on Wednesday.
The dealers said the government should provide the allocated stock of fertilisers to ease the process
"Maharashtra has been allocated 15.52 lakh metric tonnes of urea for the kharif (June to September) season, but it has so far received only 5.20 lakh metric tonnes urea so far. The allocated DAP is 4.60 lakh metric tonnes, but the stock provided till now stood at 1.26 lakh tonnes," an official said.
The supply of complex fertilizers is surplus (113 per cent) as compared to the stock the state should have got. As against the total 18 lakh metric tonnes of allocation, the state has received 8.34 lakh metric tonnes which is more than the expected supply for the current season. Farmers are told to use these fertilizers, he added.
Complex fertilizers contain two or three primary plant nutrients, of which two primary nutrients are in chemical combination.
When contacted, Jagannath Kale, former president of Maharashtra State Agriculture Fertilizers Seeds Pesticides Dealers Association, said, "The state should get the stocks it needs and priority should be given to the supply of fertilizers instead of cement through the rail route. Shortage leads to pressure on farmers' pockets. If the allocation is done, then the stock should also be provided adequately."
"Rashtriya Chemicals and Fertilizers Ltd is headquartered in Maharashtra. Earlier, this PSU was asked to supply its 70 per cent produce to Maharashtra and remaining 30 pc to other states. But it has been asked to supply to Rajasthan while companies from there have been supplying their output to Maharashtra. This issue should be addressed," he said.
Jalna MP Kalyan Kale has written a letter to the Maharashtra Agriculture Commissioner, questioning the supply of urea and demanded intervention to meet the needs of farmers.

(This story has not been edited by THE WEEK and is auto-generated from PTI)