Ambala farmers allege shortage of DAP, stage dharna

Alleging a shortage of DAP fertiliser, a group of farmers led by BKU (Charuni) expressed resentment outside the Primary Agriculture Cooperative Society at Pilkhani village.

Farmers said they have started preparing their fields for wheat, mustard, and potato crops, but insufficient availability of DAP is a concern.

Officials of the agriculture department managed to pacify the farmers, saying that they have ample stocks, following which they lifted the dharna.

BKU (Charuni) youth president Gulab Singh said the farmers were not getting adequate stocks for their fields. The officials informed them that more stocks will arrive by Thursday and will be distributed.

BKU (Charuni) district chief Malkit Singh said nearly 5,000 acres of three villages is under the Pilkhani PACS, but there was a shortage of DAP. If the requirement is not fulfilled by Thursday, the union will lock the gates of the PACS, he stated.

Meanwhile, the Deputy Director Agriculture, Ambala, Dr Jasvinder Saini, said ample stocks were available in the district. The requirement of the entire season (from October to March) is around 13,000 MT. Since the majority of the stock is required during October and November, around 8,000 MT of the total requirement had already arrived. A delay in raising the demand by the society led to the situation, he said.

Meanwhile, after remaining sluggish, nearly 68 per cent stock was lifted from the grain markets of Ambala till October 12. As per data shared by the district administration, nearly 3.38 lakh MT of paddy stocks arrived at 15 grain markets and purchase centres of the district, of which 3.11 lakh were purchased. Of the total procured stocks, over 2.10 lakh MT had been lifted.

District Food and Civil Supplies Controller Apar Tiwari said, “The procurement season has been going on in a smooth manner and nearly 68 per cent of the total procured stocks have been lifted. The recent rains had affected the fresh arrivals, but with the weather turning favourable, the arrivals have started picking pace again. The fresh arrivals may start witnessing a gradual decline after 7 to 10 days.”