Ashish Mehta, Fri Jun 27,
Jaipur: Ahead of the sowing of the Kharif crop, farmers in Rajasthan are grappling with a shortage of DAP (Diammonium Phosphate), a widely used fertiliser, and an increase in the prices of seeds. While the state's agriculture minister, Kirori Lal Meena, admitted that the state obtained 90,000 metric tons of DAP against the demand of 2 lakh metric tons, he said that some traders are also engaged in hoarding.
Following raids on fake seeds, the prices of seeds, including those of Bajra and Guar, have increased. "The prices of Bajra were Rs 650 per packet and have now increased to Rs 720 per packet. Also, Guar, which was available at Rs 270 is now being sold at Rs 320 per packet. DAP is not available anywhere," said Ram Singh, a farmer from Takrada village near Chomu.
Farmers said that in the name of selling genuine seeds, they are being overcharged. "At Sriganganagar, the traders are selling DAP to Punjab at higher prices, and authorities are taking no action," alleged Amar Singh, a farmer from Sriganganagar.
When contacted, Kirori Lal Meena, agriculture minister, said, "I am aware of DAP shortage and the fact that many traders are hoarding DAP. Let me repeat that I am not going to let anyone hoard DAP and will ensure its availability to the farmers.:
"I have also sought chief minister's intervention to urge the govt to release more DAP since we got 90,000 metric tons against our demand of 2 lakh metric tons," Meena added.
Farmers in Sriganganagar said that due to the prevailing problem of less irrigation water, higher prices of seeds, and the non-availability of DAP and other fertilisers, sowing has been limited to only 40% in Sriganganagar. "The authorities should organise more raids at the godowns where traders are hoarding DAP. Also, there should be a check on the prices of seeds and pesticides," said Tejinder Singh, a farmer from Srikaranpur in the Sriganganagar district. (Source: www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com)