<p class="bodytext">At a time when Karnataka has received timely and copious rainfall, bringing much-needed cheer to the farming community, the acute shortage of urea has cast a dark shadow over this otherwise promising agricultural season. What should have been a season of hope has instead turned into a period of anxiety and unrest for the farmers, due to administrative lapses and a relentless political slugfest between the Centre and the state. With the area under maize cultivation alone increasing by two lakh hectares this year, the demand for urea has surged. But supply has failed to keep pace. This deficit threatens to negate the benefit of a good monsoon, leading to reduced yields and significant financial losses for the farmers.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Agriculture Minister N Cheluvarayswamy insists that 1.36 lakh metric tonnes of urea is still due from the Centre, asserting that the supply of fertilisers is the Union government's responsibility, while the state handles only distribution. On the other hand, the Centre claims that it has ensured the timely and adequate availability of 8.73 lakh MT of urea against the pro-rata requirement of 6.3 lakh MT during the ongoing Kharif season so far. During the same period, the state has also recorded sales of 7.08 lakh MT, much higher than the pro-rata requirement. Caught in this crossfire are lakhs of farmers who are unable to access the fertiliser at subsidised rates.</p>.<p class="bodytext">The BJP has accused the state of not only mismanaging the stocks but also turning a blind eye to illegal diversion and black marketing of urea. The party has also charged ministers with being complicit in this malpractice. Instead of indulging in blame games, the Centre and the state should prioritise the immediate needs of the farming community. There is an urgent requirement to plug the leakages, crack down on black marketing and hoarding, and ensure timely and equitable distribution of the available stock. For the long term, the state should explore demand forecasting mechanisms to prevent the recurrence of a similar situation. Farmers cannot be made scapegoats for the inefficiencies of warring governments. Timely fertiliser availability is not a favour; it is a right that safeguards their livelihood and the nation’s food security. While politicians exchange accusations, the real cost is being borne by those who toil in the fields. It is high time both the Centre and the state stopped scoring political points and focused on what truly matters – support to the farmers when it is needed the most</p>
<p class="bodytext">At a time when Karnataka has received timely and copious rainfall, bringing much-needed cheer to the farming community, the acute shortage of urea has cast a dark shadow over this otherwise promising agricultural season. What should have been a season of hope has instead turned into a period of anxiety and unrest for the farmers, due to administrative lapses and a relentless political slugfest between the Centre and the state. With the area under maize cultivation alone increasing by two lakh hectares this year, the demand for urea has surged. But supply has failed to keep pace. This deficit threatens to negate the benefit of a good monsoon, leading to reduced yields and significant financial losses for the farmers.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Agriculture Minister N Cheluvarayswamy insists that 1.36 lakh metric tonnes of urea is still due from the Centre, asserting that the supply of fertilisers is the Union government's responsibility, while the state handles only distribution. On the other hand, the Centre claims that it has ensured the timely and adequate availability of 8.73 lakh MT of urea against the pro-rata requirement of 6.3 lakh MT during the ongoing Kharif season so far. During the same period, the state has also recorded sales of 7.08 lakh MT, much higher than the pro-rata requirement. Caught in this crossfire are lakhs of farmers who are unable to access the fertiliser at subsidised rates.</p>.<p class="bodytext">The BJP has accused the state of not only mismanaging the stocks but also turning a blind eye to illegal diversion and black marketing of urea. The party has also charged ministers with being complicit in this malpractice. Instead of indulging in blame games, the Centre and the state should prioritise the immediate needs of the farming community. There is an urgent requirement to plug the leakages, crack down on black marketing and hoarding, and ensure timely and equitable distribution of the available stock. For the long term, the state should explore demand forecasting mechanisms to prevent the recurrence of a similar situation. Farmers cannot be made scapegoats for the inefficiencies of warring governments. Timely fertiliser availability is not a favour; it is a right that safeguards their livelihood and the nation’s food security. While politicians exchange accusations, the real cost is being borne by those who toil in the fields. It is high time both the Centre and the state stopped scoring political points and focused on what truly matters – support to the farmers when it is needed the most</p>
