Fertilizer shortage is creating problems for farmers, especially small landholders, in cultivation of wheat and other crops. A peasant councillor, Imam Deen, told newsmen that DAP fertiliser, which was selling at an already high rate of Rs 1500 two days ago, is now selling at Rs 2400 and above, and is out of the reach of small farmers.
FFC sources, when contacted, told APP that the government subsidy of Rs 470 on fertiliser had been removed, and the price has gone up to Rs 1744. Apart from this, imports were affected by recent disturbances, while production in the FFC Sona urea unit was also temporary halted due to overhauling of the factory.
These factors had led to a big jump in fertiliser prices, which had gone up to Rs 2400 per bag, sources said. Agri input dealers, however, claimed that availability was scarce, and that even they were paying above that amount for each bag.
Asked to comment on the situation, Abdus Sattar, Agriculture Officer, Bhakkar, observed that his section was concerned mainly with the quality of agri inputs including fertiliser, while price fixation was a matter to be dealt with by the concerned admin officials. Meanwhile, the farmers community here has demanded that the government should ensure some relief to peasant farmers.