Why is Surjewala Urging the Centre for Urgent Urea Supply to Karnataka Farmers?

Bengaluru, Sep 17 (NationPress) AICC General Secretary and Karnataka in-charge Randeep Singh Surjewala has reached out to Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Wednesday, demanding the urgent release of 3.36 lakh metric tonnes of urea fertilizer that is pending for Karnataka. This request comes in light of the early arrival of the monsoon and a hastened Kharif sowing season in the state.

Surjewala, who also serves as a member of the Rajya Sabha, remarked, "India is predominantly an agrarian nation, with farmers being the backbone of our economy. The monsoon has arrived earlier than usual this year in Karnataka, with rainfall approximately three percent above the normal levels, which has led to an earlier start of the sowing season."

He elaborated that for the agricultural year 2025–26, Karnataka aims to sow over 114.40 lakh hectares with a target to yield 160.68 lakh tonnes of food grains and oilseeds. For the Kharif season, the sowing goal has been set at 82.50 lakh hectares, out of which 81.85 lakh hectares have already been sown.

The anticipated requirement for various chemical fertilizers during the Kharif season is 26.77 lakh metric tonnes, yet there exists a shortfall of 3.36 lakh metric tonnes of urea, according to Surjewala.

He emphasized that it falls under the Union Government's responsibility to ensure the supply of fertilizers to the states as per their needs; however, Karnataka has not received its fair share in alignment with its demand.

Surjewala highlighted that from April to September 2025, the 3.36 lakh metric tonnes of urea fertilizer owed to Karnataka remains unfulfilled, resulting in a severe shortage in the state, as the urea supplies have been cut by nearly 50 percent this year.

He urged the Union Government to expedite the delivery of the pending urea fertilizer to Karnataka, stressing that it is crucial for the farmers' welfare.

"Karnataka Agriculture Minister N. Cheluvarayaswamy has already approached Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan to advocate for the release of the 3.36 lakh metric tonnes of urea owed to the state. I appeal to the Central Government to heed this request and take the necessary steps to protect the interests of Karnataka's farmers," stated Surjewala.

This situation is anticipated to spark a new wave of controversy.

Earlier in July, Karnataka's Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had urged Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare and Chemicals and Fertilizers J.P. Nadda to hasten the supply of 1.65 lakh metric tonnes of urea fertilizer allocated to the state, highlighting that the increasing demand and subsequent shortages were causing distress among farmers.

In contrast, the Karnataka BJP has claimed that despite the favorable monsoon conditions allowing farmers to actively engage in sowing, they are facing challenges due to insufficient access to fertilizers, which they attribute to the negligence of the Congress-led state administration.