Bahraich: Farmers are suffering due to a severe shortage and overpricing of DAP fertilizer in the district. Private fertilizer dealers are selling DAP bags, priced at Rs. 1350, for Rs. 1900-2000, while the Agriculture Department appears to be failing to handle the situation.
Farmers in rural areas allege that shopkeepers first cite fertilizer shortages and then sell bags at arbitrary prices. The ever-increasing black marketing has angered farmers.
Many farmers report that the District Agriculture Officer’s control room is completely out of order. The numbers issued for complaints about overpricing are not reachable. This seems to dash hopes for on-the-spot inspections and action. The low availability of phosphatic fertilizer in the district has caused an outcry. Farmers have warned that if DAP is not available on time, it will directly impact the yield of Rabi crops.
Farmers have demanded that the administration immediately streamline the supply of DAP, take strict action against overcharging shopkeepers, and activate the Agriculture Department’s complaint system.
Currently, the shortage of DAP in the market and black marketing have increased the concerns of farmers just starting to farm.
