Karnataka seeks 37 LT fertiliser to meet state demand

Briefing reporters after meeting Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar here, Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa said the state requires 37 lakh tonnes of fertiliser to cover 72 lakh hectare agricultural land.

He said Pawar has assured him of sufficient availability of fertilisers to the state.

Last year, the state witnessed latge scale agitation by farmers due to shortage of fertilisers.

Yeddyurappa added that Pawar has assured him that he will consider releasing Rs 200 crore immediately on adhoc basis for assistance under drought relief. He said the Centre has not given any money to the state till now.

The state had demanded Rs 2,019 crore from the Centre to take up projects in the 84 drought-hit talukas in 2008.

Yeddyurappa said the Centre should provide subsidy on all notified (including non-certified) seeds, as currently only certified seeds are eligible for assistance.

The Karnataka government has also urged Pawar to increase the allocation under Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana to Rs 1,000 crore from Rs 243 crore finalised for 2009-10.