Fertiliser shortage sparks farmer protests across Odisha

Several farmers have been waiting day and night, raising their voices for the supply of fertiliser at many places across Odisha.

 In a pitiable condition, several farmers were reportedly seen forming long queues along the roadside, particularly near the LAMPS at Narayanapatna in Koraput district on Saturday, demanding fertiliser. As night falls after a long day, farmers continue to wait for a bag of fertiliser.

As per reports, due to the anticipated distribution of 2,000 fertiliser bags, such a situation has arisen. Amid the crowd of farmers, the police forces have been deployed to  maintain law and order.

This kind of situation is not limited to Narayanapatna alone, farmers reportedly blocked the National Highway connecting Khordha and Bolangir on Saturday, demanding immediate supply of fertiliser.

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A similar scene was reportedly observed in front of the Khuntabandh Cooperative Society in Boudh block. At this time, Boudh Tehsildar arrived at the scene, and the farmers, in tears, appealed to her for the supply of fertiliser.

"Though it is claimed that fertliser is being provided to all the farmers, the farmers are actually crying. If the farmers commit suicide, who will be responsible for it? Will the administration be responsible for it? If I will be provided only one bag of fertiliser, what I will do with it?" asked a protesting farmer. 

Meanwhile Boudh Tehsildar Anita Sahu has assured the farmers that fertiliser would be provided to all of them without delay.

"The farmers are demanding more fertiliser. However, fertiliser is coming in a phase wise manner. In the first phase, around 300 packs of fertilisers were distributed. Now, around 600 packs of fertiliser have come for distribution. More fertiliser will come and it will be distributed in phase wise manner," said Boudh Tehsildar Anita Sahu.