Is Odisha Facing a Fertiliser Crisis?
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Synopsis
In Odisha, the BJD and Congress are raising alarm bells over a suspected fertiliser crisis as farmers struggle amid claims of shortages. With allegations of black marketing and government mismanagement, will the state act fast enough to support its farmers during this crucial Kharif season?
Key Takeaways
- Opposition parties are voicing concerns over a fertiliser shortage in Odisha.
- BJD leaders claim the government is misleading farmers.
- Protests by farmers are increasing due to black marketing issues.
- The state government asserts there’s enough fertiliser available.
- Calls for transparency in supply data are being made.
Bhubaneswar, Sep 1 (NationPress) The opposition Biju Janata Dal and the Congress have leveled accusations against the Odisha government led by Mohan Charan Majhi concerning an alleged persistent fertiliser shortage throughout the state.
Senior BJD figure and vice president Atanu Sabyasachi Nayak claimed the government is misleading farmers amidst this alarming fertiliser scarcity.
During a press briefing, Nayak stated that the BJP-led government has utterly failed to supply Urea fertiliser to Odisha’s farmers.
This has compelled farmers to protest, while black marketeers are being tacitly supported by governmental bodies.
Nayak emphasized that the BJD has consistently stood by farmers, and should the government continue neglecting their issues, the BJD will be compelled to initiate protests.
Despite these allegations, the state government maintains that there is a sufficient supply of fertiliser available.
The department also advised farmers not to be swayed by misleading claims suggesting an artificial fertiliser shortage.
Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has assessed the situation, but the problems confronting farmers remain unresolved.
Nayak urged the state cooperation department and MARKFED to publicly disclose the official figures related to the allocation and distribution of fertiliser.
“Transparency in this data will reveal who is misleading farmers. Odisha has not encountered a fertiliser crisis in the past 11 years,” Nayak asserted.
Meanwhile, Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee President Bhakta Charan Das accused the ruling BJP of permitting rampant black marketing of fertiliser, which comes at the expense of farmers.
Das noted that black market activities have surged over the last 11 years, forcing farmers to acquire essential supplies at inflated prices.
“This crisis has arisen much sooner this year, as profiting from farmers has become too easy,” he stated.
Furthermore, the PCC leader alleged that the BJP is reaping massive profits from both paddy procurement and fertiliser hoarding.
“During paddy procurement, over Rs 2,000 crore was misappropriated in merely 10–15 days, and now thousands of crores are being plundered through fertiliser hoarding,” he claimed.
It’s worth noting that former Chief Minister and Leader of the Opposition, Naveen Patnaik, has recently reached out to Union Minister for Chemicals and Fertiliser, J.P. Nadda, regarding the fertiliser crisis in Odisha.
“The uploader shortage, along with black marketing and adulteration, poses a significant threat to our farmers at the onset of the Kharif season. In several districts, especially tribal regions, farmers are protesting due to the unavailability of urea,” Patnaik wrote.
He accused MARKFED, the government’s designated distribution agency, of supplying subsidised fertilisers to private traders rather than farmers.
He argued that mismanagement and corruption within the supply chain have driven Odisha’s farmers to the brink.
Point of View
This situation underscores the need for transparency and accountability in agricultural supply chains. Farmers are the backbone of our economy, and it is crucial that they receive the support and resources they need. The allegations of mismanagement and corruption must be thoroughly investigated to ensure that farmers can thrive.
NationPress
01/09/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What is causing the fertiliser crisis in Odisha?
The crisis has been attributed to alleged mismanagement by the state government, leading to shortages and black marketing.
How are farmers responding to this crisis?
Farmers have taken to the streets in protest, demanding immediate action from the government to address the fertiliser shortage.
What do opposition parties claim about the government's actions?
Opposition parties, including the BJD and Congress, accuse the government of neglecting farmers' needs and enabling black marketing.
