TIRUCHY: At a time when kuruvai paddy cultivation in the district is expected to surpass last year’s figure in target acreage, farmers complain of a shortage in fertilisers such as urea and DAP both at cooperative society outlets and at private shops. They urge the authorities concerned for immediate action. This year, kuruvai paddy cultivation is expected to be taken up on 15,000 acres in the district, higher than the 12,000 acres on which it was taken up last year.
While sources said that the seasonal requirement for fertilisers is approximately 25,000 tonnes, data available with the district administration on fertiliser stock records that primary agriculture credit cooperative societies (PACCS) currently has 877 tonnes of urea, 635 tonnes of DAP, 1,608 tonnes of complex fertiliser, 778 tonnes of Muriat of Potash and 146 tonnes of Single Super Phosphate, totalling 4,046 tonnes. Private traders claim they receive a similar quantity of fertilisers that PACC societies are supplied with.
Farmers, however, allege that private traders receive a larger share of fertilisers compared to PACCS. Altogether, the total quantity of fertilisers made available through both PACCS and private traders is an estimated 15,000 tonnes, allege farmers. N Veerasekaran, state spokesperson of the Bharatiya Kisan Sangh, said, “The actual supply of fertilisers to PACCS and private traders is insufficient. Since the kuruva special package includes fertilisers, officials prioritise distribution to farmers enrolled in the scheme, leaving others in the lurch.”
Due to the shortage at PACCS outlets, many farmers are compelled to approach private traders. There, they are often forced to purchase a few additional items that are more expensive and unnecessary at the transplantation, he added.
M Abdullah, president of the integrated Manapparai taluk farmers’ association said, “We need urea and complex fertilisers at the time of transplanting paddy. Bio-fertilisers and tonics are meant for use after the crop has grown well.”
When contacted, B Vasantha, joint director of agriculture, Tiruchy, told TNIE that sufficient quantity of all fertiliser varieties have been stocked at PACCS outlets across the district. “For the targeted kuruvai cultivation of 15,000 acres, around 9,000 acres have already been covered, and the remaining area will be covered soon.
Fertilisers like urea, DAP and complex varieties are readily available at PACCS. If farmers face any difficulty in specific areas, we will take immediate action to address the issue and meet their needs,” she assured.