Farmers Face Severe Distress

Odisha is staring at a major agricultural disaster this Kharif season due to an acute fertiliser shortage. Farmers across several districts are struggling to access essential inputs, particularly urea, which has reportedly become scarce in the open market. Reports of black marketing, adulteration, and supply mismanagement have only intensified farmer unrest.

Naveen Patnaik’s Strong Rebuke

Leader of Opposition Naveen Patnaik lashed out at the Centre, claiming that fertiliser shortages are crippling agricultural production and jeopardising the livelihoods of farmers who form over 70% of the state’s population. In a letter to Union Fertiliser Minister J.P. Nadda, Patnaik demanded urgent intervention to ensure timely and adequate urea supply.

Patnaik highlighted Odisha’s transformation from a rice-deficient state in 2000 to a major contributor to the national PDS system, attributing the success to scientific farming practices and a steady supply of fertilisers.

Farmers Allege Black Marketing

While the Odisha government claims to have 7.94 lakh tonnes of fertiliser in storage, farmers allege that stocks are being hoarded and diverted to private dealers, who sell at inflated prices. They demand that companies like MARKFED be entrusted with distribution instead of private networks. Several farmers have already staged demonstrations, abandoning their fields to demand fair access.

Talcher Fertiliser Plant Delay Raises Questions

Patnaik also slammed the Centre for the long delay in operationalising the Talcher fertiliser plant, whose foundation stone was laid in 2018 with a 36-month completion promise. Even after seven years, the project remains non-functional, deepening Odisha’s dependency on external supply chains.

BJP Hits Back at BJD Legacy

Responding sharply, BJP state president Manmohan Samal accused the BJD of presiding over years of irregular urea supply during its tenure. He alleged widespread corruption and middlemen involvement in fertiliser distribution under the previous government.

Samal assured that the current government is addressing the crisis through cooperative departments and by manufacturing neem-coated urea to curb diversion. He expressed confidence that the problem would be resolved soon with departmental coordination.

Experts Warn of Looming Food Insecurity

Agricultural experts caution that if immediate corrective measures are not taken, Kharif yields in Odisha will face a steep decline, triggering food insecurity and plunging rural incomes. The fertiliser crisis, unless urgently resolved, could undo two decades of agricultural progress in the state.

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