Jhansi- In the Jhansi district of Uttar Pradesh, a severe shortage of fertilizer, particularly DAP, has led to significant delays in Rabi crop sowing, prompting widespread protests among farmers. For nearly two weeks, farmers have been flocking to the PCF center in Mauranipur, hoping to secure the essential fertilizer, only to face disappointment as supplies run out.

The demand for DAP, which usually lasts until November 30, has exceeded the available stock in the district. The agriculture department, relying on outdated supplies, and cooperative societies with zero stock, have left farmers in a dire situation. Despite the arrival of additional DAP shipments in November, the shortage persists, hindering farmers from timely sowing.

Farmers from remote villages have been visiting the Mauranipur tehsil PCF center for 13 consecutive days, seeking DAP fertilizer. The district's DAP consumption exceeds 31 thousand metric tons. With the unavailability of DAP, farmers are unable to proceed with their sowing, causing visible concern among those queuing for fertilizer. This shortage of DAP and urea has persisted in the district for several days, potentially impacting Rabi crop sowing.

Farmers, standing in lines from dawn to dusk, express their worry about the dwindling time for sowing and the potential impact on their harvest. The frustration came to a head on December 3, when 800 bags of fertilizer arrived at the Mauranipur center. Under the supervision of Agriculture Officer Dimple Kane, only 400 farmers received tokens, leading to discontent among those left without.

The situation escalated, prompting the intervention of law enforcement as angry farmers voiced their concerns. Shivnarayan Singh Parihar, the State President of UP Kisan Congress, visited the PCF center, acknowledging the farmers' plight and warning of possible agitation if the fertilizer supply did not improve.

This year, the district faced a shortage of DAP and urea, with the agriculture department relying on old stock, and cooperative societies having zero stock. Despite the arrival of around 2,700 metric tons of DAP from IFFCO and Chambal in November, concerns about DAP availability persisted. The cooperative department sold 13,400 metric tons, while the agriculture department sold 21 thousand metric tons out of 24,571 metric tons of DAP. According to Assistant Registrar Cooperative Himanshu Kumar, about 4 thousand metric tons of DAP remain in the district.

Meanwhile, the Deputy District Officer assured that fertilizer would be supplied promptly, attempting to ease the tension. However, farmers, grappling with the immediate need for fertilizers, continue to face uncertainty, raising questions about the effectiveness of government policies in supporting agricultural practices.

The fertilizer crisis adds to the challenges faced by farmers in Uttar Pradesh, who are already grappling with agricultural issues. The urgency of the situation has sparked protests and highlighted the need for swift and effective measures to address the fertilizer shortage and ensure timely sowing for the Rabi season.

Farmer Suicides- According to the latest data from the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), Uttar Pradesh recorded 398 farmer suicides between 2017 and 2021, along with 701 suicides among agricultural laborers. Despite Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath denying farmer suicides in the state, concerns about the well-being of farmers persist. Adityanath had stated in March of this year, "Earlier, sugarcane farmers in the state were forced to burn their crops and attempt suicide, but in the last six years, Uttar Pradesh has not reported any farmer suicides."

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