Farmers in Karimnagar Reel Under Urea Crisis
Many stand in queue overnight, but return empty-handed (strap)
Karimnagar: Farmers across several parts of erstwhile Karimnagar district are struggling with a severe shortage of urea. Despite the recent rains, many have been forced to wait in long queues for hours, often leaving empty-handed.
The shortage is widespread, affecting farmers in Sircilla, Yellareddypet, Rudrangi, Manakondur, and Huzurabad. In many areas, farmers wait from early morning until late at night, only to receive a single bag of fertiliser.
At the Narella Single Window godown in Thangallapally mandal (Sircilla), farmers queued overnight but many returned without urea. They alleged that some local politicians used their influence to secure extra bags. In Yellareddypet, over 500 farmers waited since morning at the agri-centre, but only 200 bags were distributed.
Similar scenes were reported from Manakondur, Konaraopet, and Manthani, where farmers who failed to get supplies staged protests. Even in the continuous rains, farmers, including women, were seen waiting in long queues with umbrellas at Chigurumamidi, Indurthi, and Bommanapalli, only to face disappointment due to limited supplies.
The crisis has also sparked political controversy in Rudrangi mandal, where farmers who spoke openly about the shortage were allegedly pressured by local politicians to apologise. Locals say such incidents create fear and discourage people from voicing genuine grievances.
Meanwhile, the district agriculture officer of Rajanna-Sircilla claimed that sufficient urea stocks are available and assured that farmers need not worry. She said 12,500 metric tonnes had already arrived, while another 11,500 metric tones, of the 22,000 required for the season, would be supplied in phases. She also cautioned farmers against excessive use of urea, warning of soil damage, and suggested adopting Nano urea.
However, farmers’ experiences of long queues, protests, and repeated failures to secure supplies highlight a sharp disconnect between official claims and the ground reality.
Adding to the political storm, Peddapalli MP Gaddam Vamshi Krishna accused the Centre of failing Telangana farmers. Speaking outside Parliament, he alleged that out of 9.8 lakh metric tonnes of urea allocated, only 4.5 lakh metric tonnes had been supplied till July. He claimed this shortfall has forced farmers into long queues and black-market purchases. The MP said he has filed an Adjournment Motion in Parliament demanding immediate action.
