Fertiliser crisis in Ganjam: Farmers queue overnight amid acute shortage

Odisha’s Ganjam district is once again in the grip of a fertiliser shortage, forcing hundreds of farmers to spend sleepless nights in long queues.

Since Sunday midnight, farmers gathered outside the Aska Mangalpur Cooperative Society, where the line stretched nearly 500 metres. To hold their place, some even left Aadhaar cards or slippers in the queue.

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Limited Stock Against High Demand

The demand far outweighs supply — only 450 bags of fertiliser are available against more than a thousand farmers waiting anxiously. Fearing disappointment, farmers voiced anger at repeated shortages despite government assurances. Police have been deployed to manage the restless crowd.

Minister’s Assurances Yet to Bring Relief

Odisha Supplies Minister Krushna Chandra Patra recently visited Ganjam district to review the situation. He had assured farmers that adequate stock would be supplied to the region and no cultivator would be deprived. However, the ground reality remains unchanged, with the shortage allegedly persisting and farmers still forced to endure long hours in queues every day.

Farmers’ Woes Continue Unabated

The ongoing crisis has disrupted agricultural work, leaving farmers anxious about timely access to fertiliser for their crops. Despite repeated visits and promises from the administration, the shortage continues to affect cultivation across the district. 

Read More: Hours-long wait for fertiliser as farmers in Odisha battle ‘shortage’

Farmers say the long queues and uncertainty have not only wasted their time but also deepened their fears about the future of their yield.