TIRUCHY: In an indication of little having improved from previous years, farmers in the district raising nurseries for samba paddy cultivation complain of a shortage of essential fertilisers at primary agricultural credit cooperative societies (PACCS), forcing them to approach private traders who “compel them to buy more than their actual requirement”.
According to sources, the seasonal requirement of fertilisers in the district is around 25,000 tonnes for the crop cultivation that is taken up on over one lakh acres. Only about 30% of the requirement, however, is supplied to PACCS. The remaining stock goes to private agencies, sources said. With limited supplies, officials struggle to meet farmers' demands while private agencies exploit the situation by pushing additional products that earn them higher profits, they added.
M Suresh, a farmer from Koppu near Melapatti, said he cultivates jasmine on about three acres and has raised samba paddy nursery for cultivation on two acres. "I need Factamfos for my jasmine crop, urea and other fertiliser varieties for the nursery. Due to the shortage at PACCS, I had no option but to approach private agencies," he said.
Mentioning a monthly expenditure of about Rs 15,000 he incurs towards purchase of fertilisers, he added, “Private traders compel us to buy crop tonics and micronutrients worth around Rs 5,000, which I don't require. This forces me to spend money unnecessarily."
When contacted, T Jeyaraman, joint registrar of the cooperative department, Tiruchy, told TNIE that a total of 4,365.6 tonnes of fertilisers have been stocked across 147 PACCS in the district. "All required varieties of fertilisers are available at PACCS, and no farmer is compelled to purchase more than what they need," he said.
A section of department officials, however, acknowledged the issues on fertiliser sale persisting despite district collectors following up on farmers’ complaints and accordingly warning private traders and even taking action against them for malpractice.
Fertiliser stock in Tiruchy PACCS as on September 24, 2025 (in tonnes):
Urea - 728.055
DAP - 902.150
Muriate of Potash - 718.850
Complex - 1,810.050
Single Super Phosphate - 206.50