UP government assures no fertiliser shortage, warns against hoarding and black marketing

The Uttar Pradesh government has reaffirmed that there is no shortage of fertilisers anywhere in the state.

Urging people not to indulge in unnecessary hoarding, the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) said adequate stocks are available to meet all agricultural needs.

The Agriculture Department shared detailed figures on fertiliser availability and sales across all 18 divisions. During the Kharif season 2024, 36.76 lakh metric tonnes (MT) of fertiliser had been sold by August 18, while this year’s sales have already touched 42.64 lakh MT, marking a sharp increase.

CM Yogi’s directives to districts

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath appealed to farmers to purchase fertilisers only as per requirement and assured them of continuous supply. He also directed every district to set up a complaint cell to address farmers’ grievances quickly.

The CM further warned against overpricing and black marketing of fertilisers, instructing district officials to carry out regular inspections, stay in direct contact with farmers, and ensure smooth distribution across villages.

Fertiliser data shows higher supply this year

According to official data, fertiliser distribution this year has surpassed last year’s figures:

- Urea: 31.62 lakh MT purchased this year vs. 27.25 lakh MT last year (16.04% increase or 4.37 lakh MT extra).

- DAP, NPK, MOP and SSP: all recorded higher distribution compared to last year.

On August 18, fertiliser stocks included:

- Urea: 37.90 lakh MT available (with 31.62 lakh MT purchased).

- DAP: 9.25 lakh MT available.

- NPK: 5.4 lakh MT available (5.38 lakh MT purchased).

With Kharif sowing completed, officials said an average of 49,564 MT of urea is being consumed daily for paddy top-dressing, reflecting strong supply management and timely availability for farmers.