Ratnagiri, June 27: Farmers in the Konkan region of Maharashtra’s Ratnagiri district are increasingly worried about a shortage of urea fertilizer during the Kharif agricultural season. Rice farmers are struggling to obtain the necessary amount of urea, raising concerns about potential disruptions in farming activities.
Rice sowing has already commenced in several areas. During this critical time, the demand for urea fertilizer has surged, but insufficient supply is causing significant difficulties for farmers.
The district requires approximately 6,500 metric tons of urea for this season. Currently, only four rakes (train carriages) of fertilizer have been delivered, totaling 4,000 metric tons. The gap between demand and supply has led to noticeable shortages in various regions.
In Ratnagiri, rice is cultivated over nearly 44,000 hectares. The urea shortage could directly impact thousands of farmers. In response, the district’s agriculture department is actively distributing buffer stock. Out of the available 650 tons of buffer stock, only 90 tons remain.
The agriculture department is advising farmers not to rely solely on urea and to utilize Sufala and other fertilizers for balanced nutrition.
Officials are optimistic that additional fertilizer stock will be available by the end of June or by July 1.
Baba Dali, Vice President of the Mhapaada Association, stated that there is a nearly 50% shortfall in fertilizer this year. He accused suppliers of failing to provide farmers with regular and adequate amounts of fertilizer. Currently, only some supplies from Deepak Fertilizers and Juwari companies are available, while the usual seven to eight rakes from RCF (Rastriya Chemicals and Fertilizers) have been reduced to just four rakes so far.
He expressed that the supply shortage has left farmers in villages without access to fertilizer, leading to frustration among them. Farmers are demanding assurance of fertilizer availability during this crucial farming season.
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