Increasing prices and lack of availability of fertilizers are worrying paddy farmers in the district, especially as there is a delay for the farmers in getting the price of the paddy procured from them.
The shortage of urea caused much worries to the farmers for about a month in many parts of the district. Some farmers alleged that the shortage was an artificially created one by a lobby pushing the use of nano-urea. Some cooperative bodies involved in the distribution of fertilizers have been blamed for insisting on unrealistic conditions.
According to National Farmers Protection Committee (NFPC) general secretary Pandiyode Prabhakaran, making the fertilizers available to the farmers in time is the government’s responsibility. “Like quality seed, plenty of water and a good price, the timely application of fertilizers is vital for a paddy farmer. Just one day’s delay in the application of fertilizers can affect the growth and quality of paddy,” said Mr. Prabhakaran.
