Punjab govt asks famrers not to hoard urea

Amid short supply of urea in the state, the Punjab government today asked farmers not to hoard the fertiliser worrying that it could lead to artificial shortage.
Punjab Agriculture Minister Tota Singh appealed to farmers not to hoard urea amidst apprehension of shortage of supply as this trend could lead to artificial shortage.
"We are receiving urea in phased manner and it is mainly required in January and February ... We will have sufficient supplies by that time," he said.
He assured the farming community of having sufficient urea supply for wheat crop, saying the state has already received 10 lakh MTs of urea by December 13 as compared to 8.23 lakh MT received till date during the previous year.

Giving details, he said that the state government had sent the intent of 13,15,000 MT for the current season.
He further said the state agriculture department has been working on introducing a performa to be filled by concerned farmer, describing his requirements, so that a more efficient system could be developed for urea supply.
SAD-BJP led Punjab government has raised the urea issue with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, demanding his personal intervention for stepping up urea supply, saying the state faces "acute" shortage of urea that is affecting wheat crop sowing.