Former BJP state president K Annamalai has urged Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin to intervene and facilitate the transport of urea to the southern districts of the state, citing a significant financial burden on lorry owners.
The delay is reportedly causing a loss of ₹2 lakh per day for lorry owners, a situation Annamalai called on the Chief Minister to address immediately.
While Annamalai’s statement focuses on the transportation of urea, the issue of fertilizer shortages has been a recurring problem in the state. Reports from recent years indicate that farmers, particularly in the delta and southern regions, have consistently complained about a lack of adequate supply of essential fertilizers like urea and Di-ammonium Phosphate (DAP).
This ongoing issue has raised concerns for cultivation, as farmers worry that the shortage could severely impact the yield of samba and thaladi paddy crops, which are crucial for the region’s agricultural output.
The farmers also point to problems with distribution, claiming that private traders often receive a larger share of fertilizers compared to the Primary Agricultural Cooperative Credit Societies, forcing them to purchase from private outlets where they are sometimes required to buy additional, unnecessary products.
Farmers’ associations and political leaders have repeatedly called on both the state and central governments to take proactive measures to ensure a steady and timely supply of fertilizers to avoid a crisis during crucial cropping seasons. The broader problem appears to be a mismatch between the demand and supply of fertilizers, with local officials and farmers’ associations often raising concerns about insufficient stock and logistical challenges in getting the supplies to the farmers who need them most.