In Madhya Pradesh, the sale of subsidized fertilizers has been banned from the evening of August 14 till further orders. The government has taken this decision to match iFMS records and actual stock, which has increased the concern of Kharif farmers.
Bhopal: There has been a complete ban on the sale of fertilizers in Madhya Pradesh during the last phase of Kharif season. This order is effective from 7 pm on August 14 and will continue till further instructions. The government has taken this step to match the stock recorded on the iFMS portal and the actual fertilizer available with the sellers. This may affect about 82 lakh farmers of the state.
Fertilizer sales stopped at all distribution centers
The problems of farmers may increase due to sudden ban on the sale of subsidized fertilizers in Madhya Pradesh. According to the order issued by the Agricultural Development Department, the sale of fertilizers has been completely stopped in the state from 7 pm on August 14. This ban will continue till further orders.
The order has been implemented at all major fertilizer distribution centers in the state. Along with the centers of marketing associations and cooperative societies, the centers of MP Agro and private fertilizer sellers are also under its purview. This means that at present subsidized fertilizers will not be sold to farmers from these centres.
This decision taken in the last phase of Kharif season is important for the farmers, because in many areas the crops still need fertilizer. It is especially feared that it will affect the farmers cultivating paddy.
Decision taken for stock matching
According to the Agriculture Department, the main objective of banning the sale of fertilizers is to physically verify the data of fertilizers recorded on the iFMS portal and the actual stock held by the sellers. Under this, the quantity available in government records and the stock present on the ground will be matched.
It has not yet been clarified by the government as to how long the verification process will continue and from what date the sale of fertilizers will start again. For this reason, there is confusion among the farmers regarding the availability of fertilizers in future.
An order in this regard has been issued by Agriculture Development Department Secretary Nishant Varwade. According to the order, no subsidized fertilizer will be sold till further instructions.
Farmers worried about availability of fertilizer
There is resentment among farmer organizations due to stoppage of sale of fertilizers in the last phase of Kharif season. Farmers are worried that if the ban continues for a long time, the availability of fertilizers required for crops may be affected. There is a possibility of its impact on production also.
About 82 lakh farmers in the state may be directly or indirectly affected by this decision. Especially in paddy producing areas, the situation is considered sensitive due to the high need of fertilizers by the farmers.
Amidst the ban on sales, the possibility of black marketing and illegal selling of fertilizers may also increase. However, at present the government has not given any clear information regarding the date of resumption of sales or any alternative distribution system.
Now the farmers have their eyes on the next order of the government. The situation regarding resumption of sale of fertilizers will become clear only after the physical verification of the stock is completed and it is matched with the government records.