Farmers demand DAP fertiliser at govt rates

A delegation of farmers led by the Jamhoori Kisan Sabha met Chief Agriculture Officer Dr Gursahib Singh Patti to apprise him of the problems they are facing in procuring fertilisers, especially DAP, for wheat sowing.

The delegation included state president Dr Satnam Singh Ajnala, vice-president Rattan Singh Randhawa, and district leaders Virsa Singh Tapiala, Tehal Singh Chetanpura, Harpreet Singh Butari, Bikramjit Singh Kohali, and Jagga Singh Sangatpura.

The farmer leaders informed the officer that wheat and vegetable sowing is currently in full swing in the district. However, several cooperative societies are not functioning effectively, forcing farmers to purchase fertilisers from private dealers. These dealers, they alleged, are selling DAP at Rs 1,600-Rs 1,700 per bag and urea at Rs 400 per bag, besides forcing farmers to buy unnecessary tagged items along with fertilisers.

They demanded that all farmers should receive DAP and urea at government rates — Rs 1,350 per bag — and that the practice of tagging unwanted items should be stopped. They also urged the administration to make government machinery available for managing paddy straw instead of burning it. Further, they demanded the withdrawal of cases filed against farmers for stubble burning.

Responding to their concerns, Dr Gursahib Singh Patti assured the delegation that DAP fertiliser would soon reach farmers. He said that licences of dealers found selling fertilisers at inflated prices or tagging goods would be cancelled upon receiving complaints.

Dr Patti added that cooperative societies and markets have adequate stocks of NPK 12:32:16, TSP, and other fertilisers, which can serve as alternatives to DAP to ensure good yield. He also informed that subsidised wheat seed is being distributed at the block level and farmers can collect it by showing their Aadhaar cards.