110 bags of fake DAP seized in Moga, 4 arrested

The Agriculture Department in Moga has seized 110 bags (each weighing 50 kg) of fake DAP fertiliser. The laboratory examination of the samples of the seized stock revealed that there was no nitrogen and phosphorus content in that.

Moga Chief Agriculture Officer Dr Jaswinder Singh Brar said, “DAP is di-ammonium phosphate, a fertiliser that contains 18 per cent nitrogen and 46 per cent phosphorus. However, the samples of the seized material contained no nitrogen or phosphorous.”

Four persons have been arrested in connection with the case.

The fake fertiliser was packed in genuine-looking bags of a reputed brand. The farmers should buy agricultural material from reliable dealers only and obtain bill for their purchase, Brar said.

“We have urged farmers to inform us wherever door-to-door sellers of agricultural products are seen in villages,” he said.

Inspector Gurmail Singh said the matter was being investigated to ascertain forward and backward linkages.