Fertilizer Frenzy Grips Punjab: Farmers Panic-Buy Amidst Price Gouging
Punjab’s farmers are engaged in frantic fertilizer purchases, driven by anxieties over potential shortages. The demand for Diammonium Phosphate (DAP) and urea is particularly high.
Dealers are capitalizing on this fear, selling fertilizers at exorbitant prices. Reports indicate instances of forced bundling with other, unrelated agricultural products.
The state government has initiated an investigation into suspected diversion of subsidized urea for industrial purposes. This illegal practice exacerbates the existing supply concerns.
The situation underscores the vulnerability of Punjab’s agricultural sector to supply chain disruptions and exploitative market practices. The timely intervention of the state government is crucial to ensure fair prices and adequate fertilizer availability for farmers before the crucial sowing season. Failure to address this will directly impact food production and the livelihoods of countless farming families across the state.
