Bhubaneswar: Leader of the Opposition in the Odisha Legislative Assembly, Shri Naveen Patnaik in a letter to Union Minister Shri Jagat Prakash Nadda, expressed concern over acute fertilizer scarcity in Odisha.
Shri Patnaik pointed out that agriculture is the main source of livelihood for over 70% of Odisha’s population. The state’s growth in the agricultural sector over the past two decades has been significant, transforming it from a rice importer to a major contributor to the country’s Public Distribution System.
This was made possible by the use of technology and an adequate supply of inputs, with fertilizer being a crucial component.
Shri Patnaik informed that, farmers are currently facing a major problem in obtaining urea during the ongoing Kharif season. The short supply, black marketing, and adulteration of urea are significant concerns. Farmers in many districts, particularly tribal districts, are protesting due to the non-availability of urea. The state government claims to have 7.94 lakh tons of urea, yet farmers are struggling to get it, and the fertilizer is being sold at prices higher than the government’s approved rate.
The letter claims that MARKFED, a government distribution agency, is supplying subsidized fertilizers to private traders instead of to farmers.
Shri Patnaik also pointed out that delays with the Talcher fertilizer plant are also a concern; it was promised to be functional in 36 months after its foundation was laid in 2018, but it remains non-operational seven years later.
Shri Patnaik requested that Shri Nadda take necessary steps for an adequate supply of urea to Odisha during the Kharif season. He also called for an immediate crackdown on black marketing and the punishment of guilty dealers and officials involved in fertilizer distribution, said Dr.Priyabrata Majhi, Media Co-Ordinator, Biju Janata Dal.