Cheemeni: Farmers in Cheemeni are now grappling with a severe shortage of potash and urea at approved depots,  a crisis that threatens coconut and paddy cultivation at the very start of the season

The shortage is said to be the result of lapses by the officials responsible for ensuring adequate stocks in depots. These fertilisers are sold to farmers at subsidised rates through depots authorised to use POS machines. Agricultural officers in charge of such depots are mandated to maintain sufficient stocks of these materials.

Meanwhile, there have been reports of fertilisers being sold in some depots without POS machine records. Such unauthorised sales create the false impression that the depots have adequate stock, while in reality, farmers are left struggling to obtain them. It is therefore the duty of agricultural officers to ensure that sales of potash and urea are recorded through POS machines using Aadhaar cards.

The shortage has come at a critical time, with the paddy cultivation season just beginning, adding urgency to the crisis. Farmers maintain that these fertilisers are unavailable anywhere across Kannur and Kasaragod districts. At the same time, there have been reports of these subsidised fertilisers being sold in the black market.

While the subsidised price for a 45 kg sack is Rs266, it is reportedly being sold for as much as Rs.1,500 in the black market