Vegetable growers rue shortage of DAP fertiliser

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, September 6

Vegetable growers have demanded from the government to ensure the availability of DAP fertiliser. Earlier, the Agriculture Department had assured farmers that they would not face any shortage of DAP (fertilizer).

They said due to shortage there was black-marketing of the DAP fertilizer in the market. They complained that assurances of the stated government were for the wheat growers, who would required DAP fertilizer after a month, but vegetable producers, who need it immediately were facing problems.

The DAP is required for vegetables, especially potato crop. The farmers at present are facing shortage as shopkeepers are claiming that they do not have the stocks. Lakhbir Singh Nizampura, president, Vegetable Growers Organisation

Lakhbir Singh Nizampura, president, Vegetable Growers Organisation, said, “The DAP ferilizer is required for vegetables, especially potato crop. The farmers at present are facing shortage as shopkeepers are claiming that they do not have the stocks.”

Vegetable growers said most of the state government policies regarding agriculture focused on farmers, who grow paddy. Farmers, who had diversified into other crops, were often left out the loop, vegetable growers added.

Even the power supply to tubewells is made available according to the requirement of paddy and wheat crops. If the state government wants farmers to diversify, then it should also make its policies as per their needs. Nirmal Singh, Another farmer

Another farmer Nirmal Singh said even the power supply to tubewells was available according to the requirement of paddy and wheat crops. He said if the state government wants farmers to diversify then it should also make policies as per their needs.

Vegetable growers at their meeting at Nwa Pind village, near here, also demanded a compensation of Rs25 lakh for the farmer, who had died after sustaining injuries during the lathicharge by police in Karnal recently.

Farmer leaders stated that the Sub-Divisional Magistrate, whose video ordering lathicharge had gone viral on the social media and other police officials responsible for the incident, should be booked for murder and arrested.