Andhra Pradesh

Ryots told to brace up for fertilizer shortage

Sangareddy: With the prices of complex fertilizers bound to double due to heavy increase in input prices worldwide, the Agriculture Department is asking farmers to brace up for the eventuality this kharif.

According to sources, the fertilizer manufacturers indicated that they might have to limit importing raw materials like rock phosphate and sulphuric acid due to the step increase in their prices.

In case of Medak district alone, the shortage is expected to the tune of 23,000 metric tons with anticipated supply for kharif standing at 12,000 tons only out of the demand for 35,000 tons.

In a State-wide caution, the State government asked all districts to meet the eventuality by taking precautionary action much ahead of the commencement of monsoon.

Markfed has been allocated Rs. 500 crore to buffer stock at mandal level.

The primary agriculture cooperatives were advised to “pre position” the complex fertilizers.

In a veiled advice to farmers, the government asked them to calculate the demand per acre and store sufficient number of fertilizer bags to avoid last minute rush at the fertilizer shops.

The district agricultural officers were asked to put the district-level nutrient map for use and advice farmers on the amount of fertilizer required in their particular village, basing on the type of soil.

For instance, phosphate is already fixed in the soil during last year’s application and there will be no need to buy more of the nutrient this year.

To release phosphates, farmers should apply phosphorous solubilising bacteria (PSB) at the rate of 2 kg. per acre to kick start the process. This would cost Rs. 60 per one acre compared to one bag of DAP that costs around Rs. 485.

The Agriculture Department, which has already completed the selection of 1,190 ‘Adarsa Rythulu’ from 22 mandals in the district is hoping to spread the word in the training camp slated for 17 of this month.

The camp will go on till May 14.

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