CHANDIGARH: On the intervention of Punjab`s Minister for Agriculture, Farmers` Welfare and Food Processing Mr. Randeep Singh Nabha on DAP shortage crisis, Union Minister for Chemicals & Fertilizers Mr. Mansukh Mandaviya today assured to supply 10 rakes of DAP (Diammonium Phosphate), 5 rakes of NPK (Complex Fertilizer) and 2 of SSP (Single Super Phosphate) within three to four days to Punjab.
Considering Punjab`s demand Union Minister also assured for adequate supply of Urea to Punjab in the coming months of November and December.
Punjab Agriculture Minister, who called upon Mr. Mandaviya at later`s office here today, informed the Union Minister that the total requirement of DAP for rabi crops is 5.50 lakh MT, out of which 4.80 lakh MT is required during the month of October & November for timely sowing of wheat crop. DAP is an essential input for ensuring optimum productivity of wheat, which is sown on an area of about 35.00 lakh hectares in Punjab.
Punjab Cabinet Minister said that the State has 0.74 LMT opening stock of DAP on 01.10.2021 as compared to 3.63 LMT last year (01.10.2020). Govt. of India has allocated only 1.97 LMT of DAP against demand of 2.75 LMT during October-2021. it is being felt likely shortfall of this crucial input may appear for the sowing of wheat crop and only 20-25 days have been left for complete sowing of wheat. Punjab has demanded an additional allocation of 1.50 LMT of DAP to the State for October-2021 and expedite the supply of DAP, said Mr. Nabha.
Giving details of Union Government`s supply plan and actual despatches for the month of October 2021, Mr. Nabha told that Punjab got only 80951MT DAP against allocation plan of 197250 MT thus got only 41 percent of the total allocation while state of Haryana got 89 percent (Supply Plan 58650 Despatched 52155) of total allocation , UP got 170percent (Supply Plan 60000 despatched 102201)and Rajasthan got 88 percent (Supply Plan 67890 Despatched 59936) which shows step motherly treatment meted out with Punjab on part of the Union government.
``We apprised the Union Minister that the Punjab, known as food bowl of the nation, is being allocated much lesser quantity of DAP in comparison to Uttar Pradesh and Haryana. We have been writing the union government for last six months on this sensitive issue. We also informed the Union Minister that shortage of DAP on the onset of Rabi season can lead farmers` unrest`` said Mr. Nabha expressing hope that the Union government would stand by its commitment of supplying DAP.
While interacting with media after the meeting, Punjab Cabinet Minister also revealed that Union Minister has said that the shortage of DAP was due to non-availability of the fertilizers in the international market and the union government would ensure adequate supply of DAP to Punjab.
``During the meeting we also demanded that the Union Government must repeal the black farm laws against those the farmers are protesting for last one year. The farmers are feeling insecure as they argue that with these farmer laws the big Corporate would get away their farm lands, said Mr. Nabha.
On being asked on the issue of Pink bollworm attack on the cotton crop, the Minister said that the Punjab Chief Minister had already promised the compensation to the farmers. He also informed that in order to save the cotton crop from such kind of attacks in future the state is collaborating with well-known scientist Dr. Markandey to adopt latest tube technology.
In the meeting Financial Commissioner Development Mr. D.K.Tiwari and Director Agriculture Dr. Sukhdev Singh were also present.