JOIN USVariation in fertiliser prices worries farmers
There is a hue and cry among the farmers over the real maximum price of fertilisers in retail market. For the first time, the effect has knocked the doors of farmers.
Though the agricultural department is sticking on to the price published in the pamphlets dated April 1, 2010, there has been a drastic increase in the fertiliser rates since January 2011.
The confusion is quite visible in the range of prices fixed by different companies on the same fertiliser. The farmers are now on verbal tiff with the retailers for not fixing the identical price.
“There is a difference of Rs 50 in the price mentioned on the fertiliser bags and the selling price. The farmers argue of paying the amount mentioned in the fertiliser bag, while the company people force to pay the revised price. As we bring the commodities in bulk, we are not even able to change the price tag,” complains a retailer Roopesh who works at a co-operative society in Tarikere taluk.
The fertiliser rate which used to remain stagnant for a period of 10 years earlier is fluctuating once in 10 days now.
With the fluctuation in the price of raw materials used in fertiliser, the rate of fertiliser too varies, say the company officers.
One of the dealers, who did not wish to be quoted, opined that the government was supposed to inform the farmers about the control of fertiliser. Price variation is not a problem now as the farmers do not buy fertiliser in a large quantity, but there would be a huge difficulty during the rainy season when the fertiliser demand rises up.
Farmers say
The farmers, who are in dilemma, opine that all the fertiliser companies should meet, discuss and come up with a fixed price so that farmers can breathe a sigh of relief. They have also urged that a single rate must be fixed to all kind of fertilisers which are prepared using same raw materials.
Where as one of the fertiliser company officer argues that they have not increased the price of any fertilisers till now.
When contacted, Agriculture Department Officer Suresh said, the fertiliser companies must compulsorily mention the basic information like the maximum retail price and the subsidy amount available on every fertiliser bag. Some of the companies have already informed us about the newly fixed price. Everything will be fine if the farmers pay the amount mentioned in the fertiliser bag, he informed.
Current rate
The current fertiliser rates fixed by the dealers in Chikmagalur are as follows (for 50 kg): DAP-Rs 564, Urea-Rs 278, 20:20:0-Rs 404. Some of the dealers have not yet confirmed the prices.
The problem would be fixed within the arrival of fertilising season.