FIRs ordered against DAP hoarders; Punjab to coordinate with Centre

Tribune News Service

Patiala/Chandigarh, Nov 9

Farmers are up in arms against the state government and the Centre for their failure “to arrange for sufficient” diammonium phosphate (DAP), leading to delay in sowing of wheat and potato crop. Agriculture Minister Randeep Singh Nabha, meanwhile, has ordered FIRs against hoarders and said the government will ensure there’s no scarcity of fertiliser.

Will meet shortfall

The shortfall in DAP will be met by November 15. At least 42 rakes have been demanded from the Centre. Besides, 35 more are expected by November 30. Nine are already in transit. — Randeep Nabha, Agriculture Minister

In the wake of shortage in the market, farmers are left with no option but to buy DAP being sold on the black market, despite farmer associations advise to its members against such malpractices. Since the state is getting lesser share than its allocation, the stock at cooperative societies is minimal. With the word of shortage spreading, many dealers and landlords have already hoarded DAP, leading to its further shortage in the market.

Meanwhile, farmers claim they have no option, but to buy the DAP at a premium. “In many areas, where DAP is available for Rs 1,200 a bag, dealers sell it with a pack of machinery, seeds, sulphur or weedicides,” said Jasbir Garcha, a farmer in Doraha.

However, fertiliser dealers claim it was unfair to them. “Fertiliser manufacturers are selling DAP to us with schemes and we are left with no option but to sell it accordingly,” said a fertiliser dealer.

Agriculture Minister Randeep Singh Nabha said they were already asking for more allocation against Punjab’s pending demand of DAP. “The prices of DAP is high in the international market and required quantity is not available internationally. I have asked all Chief Agriculture Officers to ensure retailers, cooperative societies and even individual farmers, do not illegally hoard DAP.”

Farmers under the banner of various farm unions are already protesting across Punjab against the shortage of DAP. “Being a basic nutrient for Rabi crops, the DAP fertiliser has to be sprinkled at the time of sowing crops like potato, mustard and wheat. A bag of at least 45 kilos for sowing an acre of land is needed. Any delay in its supply adversely impacts sowing and therefore we are worried if we will get the fertilizer in time,” they said.

Meanwhile, the Agriculture Department today constituted a team of officers who would sit in Delhi for better coordination with the Government of India for meeting the demand of availability of DAP in Punjab. Disclosing this, Nabha on Tuesday said the team of officers from the department would oversee the rakes allocation to Punjab while sitting in the control room made by the Centre in New Delhi. This would help us asking for more share allocation against our pending demand of the DAP.

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