Naveen Patnaik writes letter to Chemicals and Feritilisers Minister JP Nadda over short supply of Urea

Bhubaneswar: The Leader of Opposition (LoP) Naveen Patnaik has written a letter to the Union Minister of Chemicals and Fertilisers highlighting the short supply of Urea and feritilisers in the state.

The letter read, “Fertilizer being a major input to Agriculture production, its smooth supply is very crucial for crop growth during Khariff. The farmers of Odisha are now facing a major problem in obtaining urea during this ongoing Khariff Season. Short-supply of urea along with it’s black marketing and adulteration, is a major concern for our farmers now in the start of the Khariff Season. In many districts particularly in tribal districts, the farmers are on an agitation path due to non-availability of urea. If not addressed timely, it may cause serious disruption of farm activities which will impact production and also affect the livelihood of farmers.”

“The state government claims to have 7.94 lakh tonne of urea, yet farmers are struggling to get them. Urea is being sold illegally at a higher price than the Govt approved rate across Odisha. MARKFED, the government’s designated distribution agency, is supplying subsidised fertilisers to private traders instead of farmers. Despite lower fertiliser use in Odisha, supply chain mismanagement and corruption have pushed our farmers to the edge,” he wrote.

Further, he said, “Delay in the Talcher fertiliser plant, whose foundation stone was laid in 2018, is also a concern. It was promised to be functional in 36 months, but seven years later, it still remains non- operational. Need of the hour is immediate crackdown on black marketing and punishment of guilty dealers and officials associated with fertiliser distribution through cooperative societies. In this context I would like to request you to take necessary steps for adequate supply of urea to Odisha during this Khariff season in the larger interest of the farming community.”