Factors such as water scarcity in Punjab and increase in fertilizer prices may have resulted in 27% decrease in paddy sowing till July 1 during this kharif season. Farmers’ organisations say the situation is worrisome, and demanded the Centre lower the prices of fertilizers. Farmers have flagged the high prices of diammonium phosphate (DAP), muriate of potash, and nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium (NPK), key fertilizers used in cultivating paddy.
However, the Union Agriculture Ministry says it’s too early to assess any decrease in the acreage of cultivation as the monsoon is not yet active in north India. Union Agriculture Secretary Manoj Ahuja told The Hindu on Thursday that the Centre is monitoring the situation. “As the monsoon gets active, sowing will also improve. It is too early to predict a decrease in paddy sowing. We are constantly monitoring the situation,” Mr. Ahuja said.
Union Food Minister Piyush Goyal had recently urged States to encourage farmers to sow paddy in more areas.
