Odisha CM Urges Union Chemical & Fertilizers Minister To Ensure Adequate Fertilizer Supply

Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Friday requested Union Chemical and Fertilizers Minister Mansukh Mandaviya to ensure the supply of the required quota of fertilizers to Odisha keeping in view the Khariff Season.

In a letter, Naveen expressed concern that there is severe shortfall in supply of diammonium phosphate (DAP) and Muriate of Potassium (MOP) to the State against the requirement.

As on July 31, the overall availability of DAP has been 69 per cent against the pro rata requirement with a shortfall of 46,877 MT. Similarly, for MOP, there was a shortfall of 1,010 MT, data in the letter revealed.

As crop production in Odisha had taken a hit last year due to natural calamities like cyclonic storms YAAS, JAWAD and GULAAB, farmers in the State were hoping to compensate for the losses with a near normal monsoon this time. Therefore, provision of fertilizers as per requirement assumes critical importance at this juncture.

August and September happen to be peak demand periods for various fertilizers, short supply could adversely affect crop production in the State, the Chief Minister said.

“I request your personal intervention for enabling the supply of the fertilizers to the state as per monthly requirement including the backlog of the previous months in the greater interest of the farmers,” the letter read.