DAP shortage, waterlogging hit wheat sowing

Quote: Alternative fertilisers not effective

“The yield of wheat crop gets reduced if DAP is not used at the time of sowing. Alternative fertilisers/manures have not proven that effective in ensuring a good yield.” – Ramesh, a farmer of Pakasma village

Tribune News Service

Rohtak, October 24

The sowing of wheat in villages of Rohtak district is being delayed due to the waterlogging of fields and the shortage of DAP.

“Wheat is usually sown between October 15 and November 15. However, hundreds of acres of fields are still waterlogged in our belt, due to which the sowing of wheat is getting delayed. The shortage of DAP is also there, but it will be felt more intensely when the accumulated rainwater is ejected from the fields and the sowing of wheat actually starts,” pointed out Ramesh, a farmer of Pakasma village in the district.

Farmers state that government officials as well as agricultural scientists are advising them to use organic fertilisers instead of DAP, but that does not serve the purpose.

“The yield of wheat crop gets reduced if DAP is not used at the time of sowing. Alternative fertilisers/manures have not proven that effective in ensuring a good yield,” maintains Ramesh.

Satyawan, who runs a seed and fertiliser store in Rohtak, says an acute shortage of DAP is being faced this time.

“The government authorities have assured that DAP will be supplied in adequate quantity soon, and we hope to get some stock in a day or so,” he stated.

The store-owner, however, is unsure whether he will get the desired amount of DAP to meet his requirement.

“I require at least 3,000 bags of DAP as of now, but expect to get only around 500 bags in the first lot,” he says.

Local officials at the Agriculture Department maintain that the shortage of DAP would soon end with the arrival of special trains containing the fertiliser.

Meanwhile, former Haryana Chief Minister and Leader of Opposition Bhupinder Singh Hooda has decried the shortage of DAP and held the “inefficient management” of the state government responsible for the inconvenience being caused to farmers.