Ensure adequate fertiliser stocks before Kharif season: Agriculture minister to officials

Chandigarh: Haryana agriculture minister Shyam Singh Rana on Wednesday directed officials to ensure adequate fertiliser stocks and smooth distribution before the Kharif season to prevent shortages and long queues for farmers.The minister chaired a high-level review meeting with senior officers of the agriculture and farmers' welfare department, HAFED, and representatives of fertilizer manufacturing and marketing companies in Chandigarh. He reviewed the current stock availability and sought suggestions regarding supply chain management for the forthcoming season.He directed that fertilizers should be distributed through the ‘Meri Fasal-Mera Byora' portal based on crop and acreage details uploaded by farmers to ensure transparency.To prevent hoarding and black marketing, he instructed officials to maintain strict field vigilance and carry out regular inspections of fertilizer dealers. He warned that strict legal action would be taken against any dealer found involved in malpractice.Sharing his farming experience, the minister said modern irrigation practices like sprinklers and fertigation could improve water efficiency and crop productivity. Representatives of fertilizer companies assured uninterrupted supply and pledged cooperation for timely availability at district level. Senior officials including additional chief secretary, agriculture, Vijayendra Kumar; director general Rajnarayan Kaushik; and HAFED managing director Anish Yadav attended the meeting.Oppn slams Centre over inflationIn a separate development, Haryana opposition leaders stepped up their attack on the Centre over inflation, LPG prices and rising agricultural input costs. Haryana Pradesh Congress Committee president Rao Narender Singh said inflation is increasing and household budgets are under pressure, with LPG cylinder price hikes affecting low-income families. He alleged that reduced subsidies under the Ujjwala scheme have limited access to affordable LPG and forced vulnerable families to rely on traditional fuels.Indian National Lok Dal national president Abhay Singh Chautala also criticised rising diesel and fertilizer prices, saying they were increasing farming costs and burdening small farmers. He urged immediate measures to protect farmers. MSID:: 131635769 413 |