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At a time when the farmers are concerned about their Kharif crop and working hard to get better produce this time, the fertilizer crisis across the State seems to have dampened all their hopes.
While some farmers are not getting fertilizer even after standing in long queues at the lamps, some are forced to buy the same at higher prices from non-governmental sources.
"There is no fertilizer in the lamp for the last several days and hence, we are forced to buy fertilizer from the open market at exorbitant prices," alleged Manoj Mohanty, a farmer from Rairangpur.
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Another farmer Anil Kumar Si from Jaleswar said that the dealers and retailers in the region don't have Urea which is posing a crisis to their crops.
The situation has become so worse in the State that instances of farmers staging protests in front of government offices have become a regular occurrence. Besides, political parties like Congress and BJP have also targeted the ruling-BJD government in Odisha over the issue.
Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik today wrote to the Union Minister of Chemicals and Fertilizers, Mansukh Mandaviya to ensure ‘supply of fertilizers as per monthly agreed supply plan and clearance of backlog of the previous months for smooth distribution in the greater interest of the farmers.'
A team of the BJD Parliamentary Party also met the Union Minister over the same issues. They alleged that the State didn't receive sufficient fertilizer supply during May, June and July.
"We are not getting enough fertilizer from the Centre which we deserve. At some points, we are even getting less than 40 per cent of what we should get. We had made a detailed list of the same and submitted it to the Union Minister today," said BJD MP Amar Patnaik.
However, the BJP rubbished the allegations stating that the Centre has been ensuring adequate supply of fertilizer. However, the BJD is trying to manipulate it by creating a scarcity-situation to help black marketeers amass money.
"The Centre has been providing more than Odisha's demand in the last three years and the State government has its proof. By raising the issue, the State government is trying to portray a picture of scarcity only to help the black marketeers," said Odisha BJP Krushak Morcha chief Pradeep Purohit.
Congress MLA Sura Routray lashed out at both the BJD and the BJP and said that both the parties are harassing farmers in the State. "The farmers failed to get seeds, water and now even fertilizer to grow crop- it will create a disastrous situation," said Routray.
