The dealers have allegedly hoarded urea fertiliser in their godowns and rice mills in various parts of Badin district have raised its price to Rs800 per bag against official rate of Rs650.
The dealers have formed a cartel and selling the commodity at exorbitant rates. Earlier, a urea bag was being sold at Rs650 but due to alleged negligence of agriculture department, the rate has been raised to Rs790-800, which has caused problems for the growers.
According to growers, some traders belonging to minority have raised the prices of fertilisers, and they have been compelled to purchase it from black market at Rs800 per bag. They said Sindh Minister for Education Pir Mazharul Haq had announced to ensure sufficient supply of fertiliser to Badin district after receiving many complaints in this connection, but no implementation of the minister's orders has yet been ensured. The growers demanded of the government to take action against the hoarders and profiteers besides setting up government shops for the sale of fertiliser.