Madhya Pradesh: Farmers Queue In Rain As Fertilisers Vanish; Price Hikes Worsen Crisis, Distribution Disrupted

Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh): A severe shortage of fertilisers across Madhya Pradesh is forcing farmers to stand in long queues from early morning, even in the rain, to secure supplies for their Kharif crops like soybean, paddy and maize.

The scarcity of urea and DAP has been reported from multiple districts. Just a few days ago, over 2,000 farmers gathered at the Makronia fertiliser distribution centre in Sagar by noon, with lines starting as early as 5 am.

Though three counters were set up, tokens were not issued at one counter, leading to chaos. The situation escalated and police had to be deployed. Eventually, tokens were distributed under police supervision.

Similar scenes are being reported from Rehti and Bhairunda in Sehore district, where farmers are also struggling to get fertilisers.

Frustrated by the crisis, farmers submitted a memorandum to SDM Bhairunda, alleging black marketing and demanding immediate action. The problem is aggravated by continuous rain, which has already begun damaging soybean and maize crops, increasing urgent demand for urea.

In Ladkui, hundreds of farmers from surrounding villages blocked the road in protest. They accused administration of negligence and demanded swift resolution.

Bhartiya Kisan Sangh (BKS) leader Kamal Anjana said,“Distribution from cooperative societies has been disrupted, leading to black marketing. Fertilisers are available in the market, but not in cooperatives.”

Highlighting the rising costs, farmer Kedar Sirohi, “Urea costs Rs 266 in cooperative societies but we are forced to buy it at Rs 400 in the market. Similarly, DAP, which costs Rs 1,250 per bag officially, is being sold at Rs 2,000.”

Official in denial

Joint Director, Agriculture, Rewa Singh Sisodiya, told Free Press, “There is no shortage of fertilisers in Madhya Pradesh. We are working for smooth distribution through cooperative societies.”

Rain, rage & rising prices

Queues before dawn: Farmers line up from as early as 5 am at fertiliser centres, braving rain and confusion over token distribution. Police called in Sagar: Chaos at Makronia distribution centre forces police deployment; tokens finally handed out under supervision.

Black marketing rampant: Urea (Rs 266) being sold at Rs 400; DAP (Rs 1,250) at Rs 2,000 in open market due to poor supply at cooperatives. Protests break out: Farmers block roads in Ladkui, submit memorandum to SDM Bhairunda, demanding crackdown on black marketeers.