Karnataka government should ensure farmers do not face fertiliser shortage, say activists

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A farmer sprinkles fertiliser on his standing rice crop in Belagavi district. | Photo Credit: File photo

Farmers’ associations have urged the government of Karnataka to ensure there is no fertiliser scarcity in the sowing season.

“Farmers in some districts in north Karnataka are facing fertiliser shortage. They are forced to stand in long queues for hours to buy a bag of fertiliser. They are also forced to pay inflated prices, or buy from the black market. This is leading to sudden rise in the cost of inputs. Farmers are suffering, as the cost of cultivation is increasing, but the wholesale price remains low. The government should make sure that farmers do not suffer like this,” said Sidagouda Modagi, president, Krishik Samaj.

“The advice by Prime Minister Narendra Modi that farmers should go for organic farming is a tall order. Farmers are habituated to using inorganic fertiliser, as it is easily available, increases yield, and decreases costs. Switching to organic farming suddenly is difficult. It should happen over a period of a few years. Till then, the Union Government should ensure a steady supply of inorganic fertilisers by negotiating with various fertiliser producing countries, and increasing the output of fertiliser by public and private sector companies in India,” he said.

He urged the government of Karnataka to involve village co-operatives and Raitha Samparka Kendras in the supply chain of fertilisers to address the scarcity.

“The government should not forget that Karnataka has had several protests over fertiliser scarcity. There was the unfortunate incident of firing on farmers in Haveri, who were protesting against fertiliser scarcity. If the Union and State governments do not ensure that there is no scarcity of fertilisers, then we will take up a statewide agitation,” he said.