Bhubaneswar: Odisha Government has initiated major proactive steps to promote balanced nutrient management and address recent fertilizer supply challenges across the state.
Under the leadership of the Department of Agriculture, headed by Deputy Chief Minister Shri Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo, a significant policy shift has been directed to ensure the availability of fertilizers in every nook and corner of the state.
Commissioner-cum-Secretary of the Department of Agriculture and Farmers’ Empowerment, Shri Sachin Ramachandra Jadhav, IAS, has taken the lead in implementing these measures.
In an official letter marked as most urgent, Shri Jadhav directed all District Collectors to actively promote complex fertilizers as a substitute for DAP and Ammonium Sulphate as an alternative to Urea.
According to the communication from Shri Jadhav, the Government of India has planned to supply a large quantity of Ammonium Sulphate, which contains 20.5 percent Nitrogen and 23 percent Sulphur. This fertilizer serves as an effective alternative to Urea while simultaneously addressing crucial sulphur deficiencies in the soil.
The notification underscores that the Central Government is placing a special emphasis on the use of Complex Fertilisers instead of DAP, particularly because DAP supply has been affected this year.
To ensure the seamless distribution of these alternatives, Shri Jadhav has directed MARKFED personnel at the district level to place indents for Complex Fertilisers and Ammonium Sulphate in direct proportion to the quantities supplied to each district.
Copies of this urgent order have also been forwarded to Chief District Agriculture Officers and the Registrar of Cooperative Societies to ensure immediate and necessary follow-up action on the ground.