THE All India Kisan Sabha, in a statement issued on November 6, has registered its strong protest against the BJP-led union government over the non-availability of adequate Di-Ammonium Phosphate (DAP) and other fertilisers in several parts of the country when the sowing of Rabi crops was at its peak. Farmers were made to run from pillar to the post for getting the important fertiliser –DAP when it was most required. The extent of crisis due to fertiliser shortage can be imagined from the fact that DAP disbursement became a law and order problem and was being sold in many places in Haryana from the police stations. Long queues of farmers, including women with children has been witnessed in many places and even after long hours many of them have had to return empty handed. 

Abject failure of the BJP led NDA government in planning for the Rabi season and having adequate opening stocks of DAP has created a huge shortage and the crisis for farmers. The global feed and food supply crisis has led to massive shortages of fertilisers. The Government of India has continuously denied the claims of any shortages but the official data show pronounced decline in the availability of urea, DAP, and MoP.  Clearly, the government preparedness and contingency plans were lacking. As against 34.5 lakh tonnes imported during April to September in 2023, this year only 19.7 lakh tonnes were imported during the same period. There has also been a fall in the domestic production. On October 1, 2024 merely 15-16 lakh tonnes were in stock as against the recommended 27-30 lakh tonnes; this is while the estimated demand during mid-October to mid-December is about 60 lakh tonnes. Farmers are hit by shortages of DAP and also urea, MoP etc and reportedly are having to pay about Rs 300-Rs 400 more than the government fixed MRP of DAP i.e., Rs1,350 per 50-kg bag. Rather than accept the failure and take urgent corrective measures, the government is in a denial mode and indulging in propaganda on Nano-urea and Nano-DAP whose efficacy is questionable.

India requires expansion of domestic manufacturing of urea and DAP. The rise in prices of fertilisers due to decontrol also is creating problems. The government needs to secure long-term deals for Muriate of Potash and DAP with other nations. Closure of public sector fertiliser factories also has created problems. Public sector fertiliser factories should be reopened and strengthened.

AIKS also condemns the BJP led union government for its gross mismanagement of procurement of paddy, moong and other crops especially in Haryana, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh and other states.  The sluggish lifting of paddy and mismanagement of the procurement process by the government agencies has forced farmers to make distress sale at prices far below even the meagre minimum support prices (MSP). Similarly, Moong is not being procured at the MSP which is Rs 8,682 per quintal and farmers have been compelled to sell it at a loss of Rs 2,000 per quintal.

Kisan Sabha has received reports from Haryana and Punjab that police cases have been framed against farmers and some of the farmers have been arrested for stubble burning. This is in violation of the written assurance given by Union Ministry of Agriculture on December 9, 2021 that farmers shall no more be liable to be persecuted for stubble burning. AIKS warns of united protests against this deliberate act of provocation.

AIKS demands adequate supply of DAP and other fertilisers, guaranteed procurement of Kharif crops at C2+50 per cent and that the government take responsibility for stubble management rather than harassing the farmers.