Farmers stage protest in Kalaburagi seeking adequate supply of DAP

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Farmers staging a protest under the banner of Karnataka Prantha Raitha Sangha in front of the Taluk Agriculture Produce Co-operative Marketing Society office at Nehru Gunj in Kalaburagi on Tuesday. | Photo Credit: ARUN KULKARNI

Farmers under the banner of Karnataka Prantha Raitha Sangha (KPRS) staged a protest at the Taluk Agriculture Produce Co-operative Marketing Society (TAPCMS) office near Nehru Gunj Rural Police Station in Kalaburagi on Tuesday demanding adequate supply of DAP fertiliser to all farmers and opposing the artificial shortage and price hike of fertilisers ahead of the kharif sowing season.

The protesters submitted a memorandum addressed to Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and Home Minister Priyank Kharge through the Regional Commissioner, the Deputy Commissioner and the Joint Director of Agriculture, Kalaburagi.

Addressing the gathering at the agitation site, KPRS district president Sharanbasappa Mamshetty said that the fertiliser shortage is not natural but artificially created by traders and their agents.

“Farmers are running from shop to shop with their Aadhaar cards standing in queues for two days and yet, they are being handed only two bags of DAP. This is nothing short of harassment. The State government must step in immediately and ensure every farmer gets the fertiliser he needs before the sowing season is lost,” he said.

Mr. Mamshetty also warned that if the situation is not addressed urgently, the kharif crop will be severely affected, pushing farmers deeper into debt and distress.

“The State government cannot remain a silent spectator while traders loot farmers. Strict action must be taken against hoarders and black market operators,” he added.

Training his guns on the Union government over the steep rise in fertiliser prices, Mr. Mamshetty said that the Modi government has done away with fertiliser subsidies and price controls. And, the result is plain for all to see.

“DAP has gone up to ₹1,490