Why farmers across state are concerned about fertiliser supply, quality

As Rabi sowing continues, with wheat being the principal crop for farmers in Haryana, the issue of fertiliser availability and authenticity has become a major concern. While officials maintain there is no shortage, farmers allege that black marketing and the sale of spurious fertilisers by unscrupulous traders are affecting crop quality and yield.

Why are farmers upset with the authorities over fertiliser issues?

Farmers claim that with Rabi sowing at its peak, they urgently require DAP fertiliser. They say black marketing and the availability of fake fertilisers are their main worries. Hoarders and stockists reportedly create an artificial shortage in the market, fuelling black marketing. Taking advantage of this, unscrupulous traders fleece farmers by overcharging per bag and by mixing or selling fake products.

What action did the Chief Minister’s Flying Squad take regarding fertiliser sales?

Acting on a tip-off, the Chief Minister’s Flying Squad conducted raids at several fertiliser shops and godowns and found discrepancies at one of the outlets. Following this, the Department of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare issued a show-cause notice to the shop owner, indicating that irregularities were taking place during the peak Rabi season.

Earlier, the CM Flying Squad had also raided fertiliser shops in Uklana town of Hisar district, where irregularities were detected in the records of one shop. During the Kharif season in July, farmers across Haryana had similarly faced fertiliser quality issues, as DAP was in short supply in several areas.

Why are the farmers not satisfied with Nano Urea?

Samples of Nano Urea and Nano DAP collected from Hisar recently failed to meet prescribed specifications. Laboratory tests conducted by the National Test House, Ghaziabad, revealed that these nano fertilisers did not conform to quality standards under the Fertiliser (Control) Order, 1985.

Sources said that eight samples were collected from Hisar, of which four were found non-compliant, while reports for the remaining four are awaited. One Nano Urea sample failed certain parameters — it met basic nutrient levels but did not conform to consistency and particle size requirements, leading to its classification as substandard. Similarly, a Nano DAP sample submitted by the Agriculture Department in Hisar also failed quality assessment.

The Chief Minister’s Flying Squad had earlier conducted raids at a fertiliser dealer’s shop in Bahbalpur village and a manufacturing unit in Paatan village, where rubber-like particles were allegedly found in NPK fertiliser. Irregularities were also discovered in records and labelling. Activists of the Akhil Bharatiya Kisan Sabha have alleged large-scale black marketing of fertilisers.

Was any case of spurious DAP detected in Haryana?

Yes. An FIR was registered against two brothers, residents of Chaudhariwali village in the district, on charges of selling fake DAP fertiliser and overcharging farmers. The case was registered on the complaint of Bajrang, a farmer from the same village, and on the recommendation of the Quality Control Inspector under Section 19 of the Fertiliser (Control) Order, 1985.

The complainant alleged that while the market rate of DAP was Rs 1,350 per bag, he was charged Rs 3,000 for two bags — Rs 1,500 each.

What measures has the Centre taken to curb the sale of spurious fertilisers?

In July this year, the Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare wrote to the Chief Ministers of all States and Union Territories, directing them to take immediate and strict action against counterfeit and substandard fertilisers. The aim was to curb the sale of fake and subsidised fertilisers through black marketing and illegal practices such as forced tagging.

The minister emphasised that it is the responsibility of states to ensure adequate fertiliser availability at the right places and times. States were instructed to monitor sales strictly and take swift action against black marketing, overpricing and diversion of subsidised fertilisers. They were also directed to prevent the forced sale of nano fertilisers and ensure regular monitoring of sales.

Additionally, states have been advised to develop feedback and information systems involving farmers and farmer groups in monitoring processes and to make special efforts to educate farmers on identifying genuine and counterfeit products.