UREA
SCARCITY HITS BALANGIR FARMERS
Saturday, 13 September 2014 | PNS | BALANGIR |
in Bhubaneswar
Even as agricultural
operations were taken up lately in Balangir district due to delayed monsoon,
problems of farmers have mounted further as they are yet to receive sufficient
quantum of urea, a fertiliser crucial for growing of paddy and cotton
plants.
Sources said while the district needs a total
of 22,000 metric tonne of urea for the current Kharif season, the Government
has allocated only 16,000 MT and, of this, the district has received 10,592 MT
only. Paddy and cotton cultivations have been undertaken in 1,85,000 hectares
and 38,000 hectares, respectively, in the district. Rajya Sabha MP AU Singh Deo
has brought this to the notice of the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers.
“Farmers of the district were forced to take
up agricultural operations lately waiting monsoon rains for long. But shortage
of urea has further affected them. Hence increase the urea allocation to 22,000
MT and supply soon to the district,” Singh Deo urged the Chemicals and
Fertilizers Secretary in a letter. Similarly, Leader of Opposition in the State
Assembly Narasingha Mishra expressed concern over short supply of urea. “I have
already brought the issue before the Agriculture Minister and Director. They
have assured me to supply required fertilizer to the district,” he said. He
lamented that officials are not taking action to check black-marketing and
hoarding of the manure caused due to the short supply.
When contacted, the Deputy Director of
Agriculture, Balangir informed that two rake containing urea has been stranded
on the way. Once the rakes arrive, the district would get 3, 300 MT of urea and
farmers demand would be met to some extent.
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