New Delhi: Government of India, Department of Fertilizers is making all out efforts to ensure that the Fertilizers are readily made available to the farmers as per their demand without any problem.
Briefing the Press today, the Minister of Chemicals & Fertilizers, Shri Ananth Kumar informed that Modi Government has ensured more than adequate availability of Fertilizers for the present Rabi Season. The total availability of urea in the country as on 1.11.2016 was 34.24 Lakh MT. Further, against a requirement of 32.76 Lakh MT of urea for the month of November, 41.05 Lakh MT of urea has already been made available in the field. He informed that similarly in the case of DAP, there is huge opening stock of 19.55 Lakh MT in the country against the overall demand of 12.44 Lakh MT for the month of November 2016. Minister (C&F) stated that similarly in case of MoP & NPK fertilizers, against a requirement of 4.08 & 11.16 Lakh MT, for the month of November, the opening stock itself as on 01.11.2016 was 5.25 & 15.05 lakh MT respectively.
Shri Ananth Kumar said that all the Chief Secretaries of the States and Commissioners of Agriculture have been directed to ensure that the farmers do not face any kind of difficulty in getting fertilizers. They have been directed to ensure that all the Cooperative Societies, Private Retailers/ Wholesalers of fertilizers provide fertilizers to farmers through all modes of payments like on Credit as well as through Credit Card, Debit Card, Cheque etc. He informed that strict instructions have been given to all the fertilizer manufacturers and importers of fertilizers that it would be their primary responsibility to ensure that farmers do not face any problem under any condition in getting fertilizers and for this they have to ensure that all modes of payments are accepted by all concerned dealers/wholesalers/ retailers. He further informed that Fertilizers Companies have been directed to see that in case any kind of problem is noticed anywhere in the country due to non-availability of cash/banking services, farmers should be provided fertilizers on credit basis and for that all necessary arrangements be made by them.
Minister said that senior officials of Department of Fertilizers, through video conference monitored the situation yesterday with all the State Governments and have issued necessary instructions to them to ensure that the sale of fertilizers remain smooth throughout the country.
Shri Ananth Kumar expressed confidence that due to abundant availability of fertilizers and the steps taken by the Government, farmers will get their required fertilizers for the present Rabi season without any difficulty. He also said that he is monitoring the situation regularly himself and has directed the officials of the Department of Fertilizers to continuously talk to the State Governments and Fertilizer Companies to ensure that in no case, farmers face any kind of difficulty in getting fertilizers for the present Rabi Season.
