Fertiliser supply uncertainty: Bolangir farmers wait overnight outside PACS in long queues

Farmers in Bolangir’s Patnagarh block, especially in Kendumundi panchayat, face sleepless nights waiting in long queues outside the PACS for limited fertiliser supplies. With only 510 urea packets for three panchayats, uncertainty and frustration grow amid fears of crop damage. Local farmers urge the State government to increase fertiliser availability to support timely sowing and protect farmer livelihoods.

Fertiliser supply uncertainty: Bolangir farmers wait overnight outside PACS in long queues

Aadhaar cards of local farmers kept to maintain the queue

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Hundreds of farmers in Patnagarh block of Bolangir district, specifically in the Kendumundi panchayat, spend sleepless nights in desperate attempts to get their share of fertiliser.

Also Read: Long lines, sleepless nights: Farmers queue up from wee hours to get fertiliser in Odisha

Despite poor weather and growing pressure for timely sowing, they are seen lining up all night outside their local Primary Agriculture Cooperative Society (PACS), sources said on Wednesday.

In a scene marked by fatigue and frustration, farmers are even carrying their Aadhaar cards and standing in long queues under the open sky, hoping that their wait will secure them the much-needed fertiliser for their Rabi crops.

The crisis stems from a limited supply; only 510 packets of urea have arrived for farmers from three different panchayats linked to the PACS. This has sparked chaos and uncertainty, as many fear that even after queuing overnight, they might return empty-handed.

Local farmers are expressing their deep concern over the inequitable distribution, lack of transparent allocation, and the delayed arrival of fertilisers. As the crop season progresses, such shortages could directly impact crop yield and farmer livelihoods if not addressed urgently by the district administration.

“Around 510 bags of fertiliser were sent to us, which were meant for three panchayats. We have divided the total quantity into three parts and have kept about 225 bags of fertiliser for distribution to the farmers in Kendumundi panchayat, since this is a bigger panchayat in size,” Kendumundi PACS president, Babaji Meher, said.

“Remaining stock will be distributed among the farmers in the other two panchayats – Mundomahul and Ghuchepali. They are standing in long queues from 2.00 AM at night, and we know that. Even some farmers are returning empty-handed,” Babaji Meher stated.

“We, from our side, request the State government to adequately supply fertiliser to meet the demand. So that the farmers will get their requisite quantities of fertiliser on time and will benefit,” the PACS president added.

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