Farmers Suffering Due to Administrative Failure and Black Marketing of Fertilizers: BJD
- “The Double Engine Government has turned into a ‘Trouble Engine Government’ for the farmers of Odisha”
- The promise of doubling farmers’ income has proved to be nothing more than an empty slogan
- The Government must immediately ensure uninterrupted supply of fertilizers to the farming community
Bhubaneswar, 22/07/2026:The BijuJanata Dal (BJD) today strongly criticized the Double Engine Government over the acute shortage of fertilizers across Odisha during the ongoing Kharif cultivation season, rampant black marketing and complete administrative failure, which have pushed lakhs of farmers into severe distress. The party alleged that the Government’s anti-farmer policies have caused immense hardship to the farming community.
Addressing a press conference held today at SankhaBhawan, BJD Vice President, MLA and former Minister Dr. Arun Kumar Sahoo, Vice President and former Minister Shri AtanuSabyasachiNayak, and Vice President and former Minister Shri Sanjay Dasburma stated that while the Government has repeatedly assured farmers that there is no shortage of fertilizers in the State, the ground reality is completely different. They said that at the most crucial stage of paddy transplantation, the Government has utterly failed to ensure timely availability of fertilizers to farmers across various parts of Odisha.
Dr. Arun Kumar Sahoo said that nearly 70 percent of Odisha’s population depends on agriculture, and around 39 lakh hectares of land are cultivated under Kharif paddy every year. During the current Kharif season, Odisha requires approximately 11.43 lakh metric tonnes of fertilizers. However, as of 17 July, only around 1.81 lakh metric tonnes of fertilizers had reached the Primary Agricultural Cooperative Societies (PACS). Of this, only 1.14 lakh metric tonnes had been distributed to farmers. With merely 10 percent of the seasonal requirement supplied so far, an artificial fertilizer crisis has been created across the State. The shortage of fertilizers during the peak transplantation period has pushed farmers into deep anxiety. He further said that the so called “Double Engine Government” has, in reality, become a “Trouble Engine Government” for the farmers of Odisha. Despite the BJP Government being in power at the Centre for nearly 12 years, fertilizer production has still not commenced at the Talcher Fertilizer Plant. While the expenditure on fertilizers per acre was around ₹3,000 in 2014, it has now increased to nearly ₹7,000-7,500. The Double Engine Government, which had promised to double farmers’ income, has instead doubled the financial burden on farmers.
Shri AtanuSabyasachiNayak said that the Government’s claim that there is no fertilizer shortage in the State is completely baseless. In many districts, farmers are forced to wait throughout the night outside PACS and fertilizer outlets to obtain just one bag of urea. It is unfortunate that instead of ensuring adequate availability of urea, the Government is attempting to conceal the shortage by promoting complex fertilizers and alternative fertilizers.
He pointed out that the Government itself has acknowledged the shortage of urea and DAP by directing district administrations to promote alternative fertilizers. This clearly establishes the Government’s complete failure to address the problems faced by farmers. While urea contains 46 percent nitrogen, many of the fertilizers being promoted as alternatives contain only 21 percent nitrogen, making them incapable of serving as a genuine substitute for urea.He further stated that while the Government fixed retail price of a 45 kg bag of urea is ₹266.50, farmers are being forced to purchase the same from the open market for ₹500-600 due to scarcity. Instead of ensuring affordable availability of urea, the Government is compelling farmers to buy costlier complex fertilizers, thereby increasing their financial burden.
Shri Sanjay Dasburma said that the Odisha Government has completely failed to implement the Government of India’s National Fertilizer Distribution Policy. While the State Cooperation Minister continues to claim that there is no shortage of fertilizers, the Principal Secretary of the Cooperation Department has admitted the shortage of urea and DAP and instructed district administrations to arrange alternative fertilizers. This clearly exposes the Government’s double standards.At present, around 60 percent of fertilizers are distributed through PACS, LAMPS and cooperative societies, while the remaining 40 percent are supplied through wholesalers. Despite thousands of registered farmers under many cooperative societies, only 30 to 70 farmers are being provided fertilizers each day. Consequently, farmers in districts such as Sundargarh, Malkangiri, Nabarangpur, Kalahandi and Subarnapur, among many others, are being forced to wait throughout the night to obtain fertilizers. Each farmer is being given only one bag of urea, which is grossly inadequate.
He further alleged that the QR code based digital distribution system has deprived many farmers particularly women farmers, sharecroppers and those without smartphones or digital payment facilities from accessing fertilizers. Fertilizers meant for Odisha are allegedly being illegally diverted to neighbouring States. Cooperative societies are also forcing farmers to purchase nano urea, zinc and other products along with urea, thereby causing additional hardship to the farming community.The BijuJanata Dal demanded that Chief Minister Shri Mohan CharanMajhi immediately convene a high-level review meeting involving the Agriculture, Cooperation, Food Supplies and MARKFED Departments to assess the actual fertilizer requirement of the State and ensure uninterrupted fertilizer supply across Odisha without delay. Otherwise, the BijuJanata Dal warned that it would intensify its agitation in the interest of the farming community.
