Farmers Protest Artificial Urea Shortage As Prices Rise

Moreover, certain dealers are forcing farmers to purchase organic potash, priced at ₹1,400 for a 20 kg bag, as a condition for buying urea. Faced with the threat that urea may otherwise be withheld, farmers feel compelled to buy potash. They accuse agriculture department officials of colluding with these traders by failing to supply adequate stock. Despite ample reserves at private depots, dealers refuse to sell, deliberately creating a scarcity. As a result, farmers queue for hours outside PACS offices and agri-centres throughout the district.

In a distressing incident in Nallabelly mandal, two farmers, Dhanraj Naik and Jumiki Lal of Bilyanaik Thanda, attempted suicide in protest against dealer Karra Krishna Reddy, whom they allege is hoarding 1,200 bags of urea to drive up prices. Police intervened after farmers demonstrated outside his shop.

When contacted, mandal agriculture officer B. Rajitha confirmed that the dealer held 1,200 bags of urea and that refusing to sell to farmers is illegal. She pledged that action would be taken against him. District agriculture officer K. Anuradha told the Deccan Chronicle that there is no urea shortage and sufficient stock exists for all farmers. She reiterated government directives limiting one bag of urea per acre and warned that dealerships could be revoked for non compliance.

An unexpected inspection at Khaja Moinuddin Fertilisers and Pesticides in Nallabelly mandal uncovered a billing ledger listing farmers who had not received any urea. Authorities seized 213 bags of urea and the store’s inventory pending further investigation, Anuradha said.