Naveen Seeks Centre’s Intervention as Odisha Facing Severe Shortfall in Supply of Fertilizers

Bhubaneswar: Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Friday urged the Centre to ensure supply of fertilizers to the State as per monthly requirement in the greater interest of the farmers.

The Odisha CM wrote to Union Minister of Chemicals and Fertilizers Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya seeking his intervention for enabling the supply of the fertilizers to the State as per monthly requirement including the backlog of the previous months in the greater interest of the farmers.

Naveen said that there is a severe shortfall in supply of DAP and shortfall in supply of MOP to the State against the requirement.

During the current Kharif season as on date 31.07.2022, the overall availability of DAP has been 69% against the pro rata requirement with a shortfall of 46,877 MT and MOP shortfall 1010 MT.

There is a huge demand for these fertilizers as there has been a good spell of monsoon after a dry spell which has triggered the agricultural operations to a full swing. The State has suffered a loss in crop production during the previous year due to natural calamities like YAAS, JAWAD and GULAB. It is envisaged to make good the loss with a good harvest expecting a near normal monsoon in line with the forecast of IMD. Therefore, supply of this most critical input i.e. fertilizer should be as per the requirement. Besides, the August-September happens to be the peak demand period for different fertilizers and a short supply during this juncture would adversely affect the agricultural production in the State, the CM said.