Shadow Correspondent
jammu, AUG 17:
Former Minister & MLA of Marh, Ch Sukhnandan has urged the government to ensure availability of fertilizers and pesticides in the Marh area as due to the shortage of fertilizers, pesticides, seed and other necessary equipment the farmers in this area are struggling badly.
This was stated by the Former MLA Ch Sukhnandan in a press conference held here today.
While addressing the media persons, Ch Sukhnandan said that despite agriculture being exempted from the lockdown, the availability of fertilizers and pesticides has been an issue for the farmers. Summer season is on the horizon but due to the pandemic, there has been a noticeable disruption in the production and transportation value chain of major agriculture inputs such as seeds, fertilizers and pesticides.
“The shortage of fertilizers and pesticides had led to black-marketeering and hoarding. Traders have stock, but are holding on to them because the coming two weeks are crucial for crops’ growth stage. At this time, farmers will not mind paying a little extra to get the urea. Many shop owners have stock but not at the store itself. They’re holding the stock at a different location and farmers are suffering on account of this,” he said.
The government should keep in view that the summer crop is not only a key crop cycle for farmers but is equally important for the growth of Jammu and Kashmir’s economy which largely depends on the agricultural and horticulture sectors.
Till now the response of the Agriculture and Horticulture departments has been poor due to which the farmers are in panic.
Due to non-availability of fertilizer, pesticides and seeds, the farmers in Marh area would lose crops and the overall crop production would be drastically impacted.
The movement of pesticides and fertilizers has been also affected due to the restricted road movement. The other major input for agriculture is pesticides and insecticides.
It is imperative to ensure social distancing and other measures by the government to prevent spread of cornavirus, but a mechanism must be put in place to ensure that farmers carry on their activities without any hindrance.
He further warned the authorities to streamline the supply of fertilizers and pesticides in his area otherwise, leaving no other option they have to come on the roads to fulfill their genuine demands.
