Centre intensifies action to tackle fertiliser scarcity

Amid complaints of fertiliser shortage in certain parts, the Centre has decided to organise video-conferencing with state agriculture departments on a daily basis to ensure adequate supply in the Rabi season.

"The Centre has decided to hold video-conferences daily between the Union Agriculture Secretary and top officials of the farm departments of states. The idea is to keep a close watch on fertiliser availability in major Rabi-crop growing states," a senior government official said.

The Cabinet Secretary would also monitor the situation through regular interactions with Union secretaries of Agriculture and Fertilisers, he added.

Though, the Centre has already assured of ample availability, it is vigilant about its proper distribution so that the nutrients reach farmers and there is no artificial shortgage because of hoarding and smuggling.

Chemicals and Fertilisers Minister Ram Vilas Paswan had last week pointed out that there are complaints of fertilisers from India being smuggled to neighbouring countries and asked states to act tough against hoarders and smugglers.

The minister also said he had asked the Fertiliser Secretary Atul Chaturvedi to collect reports on import trends of neighbouring countries to know whether nutrients are going out of India.

Paswan had assured supply of all types of fertilisers in plenty for this rabi season.

The consumption of urea during 2007-08 was 261.67 lakh tonnes. Government has fixed the target for supply at about 288 lakh tonnes of urea this year of which 158.02 lakh tonnes have already been supplied by October-end.

Similarly, a target of ensuring availability of 111 lakh tonnes of DAP has been fixed for the current year, compared with 75.55 lakh tonnes last year. About 68 lakh tonnes of DAP have been supplied till last month.