Special Vigilance Teams to Curb Diversion of Urea: Minister
The minister also stressed the need to create greater awareness among farmers about the benefits of nano urea
Vijayawada: Agriculture minister K. Atchannaidu on Monday said there was no shortage of urea in Andhra Pradesh and warned of criminal action against dealers found forcing farmers to purchase complex fertilisers along with urea or DAP.
The minister made the remarks while chairing a high-level review meeting with senior officials, fertiliser manufacturers and dealers’ association representatives at the Secretariat.
He said the state had adequate fertiliser stocks to meet farmers’ requirements and called for better coordination between officials and fertiliser companies to ensure smooth supply of urea.
Atchannaidu directed dealers to discontinue the practice of compelling farmers to buy complex fertilisers and instructed them to sell only the products required by cultivators.
The minister said the sale of urea above the Maximum Retail Price (MRP) would be treated as an offence and warned that action would be taken against dealers found violating pricing norms. He directed dealers to ensure that urea is sold strictly at the prescribed MRP.
To prevent diversion of urea, Atchannaidu announced the formation of special vigilance teams and called for close monitoring and accountability in the movement and sale of every bag of fertiliser in the state.
The minister also stressed the need to create greater awareness among farmers about the benefits of nano urea. He urged officials to promote natural farming practices and encourage reduced dependence on chemical inputs.
The meeting reviewed fertiliser availability and measures to ensure uninterrupted supply to farmers during the ongoing agricultural season.