Rajasthan Farmers Facing Fertilizer Shortage for Rabi Crop

Rajasthan government is accusing the centre of a fertiliser shortage, and long lines can be seen outside fertilizer distribution centres in rural areas these days. Drought is common in Rajasthan, but the state was blessed with above-average rainfall this year. This year, the state received 628.32 mm of rainfall, 19.1% more than the state's average annual rainfall.

According to data from the state's Water Resources Department, 18 of the state's 33 districts received excessive to abnormal rainfall during this year's monsoon, and the rains continued until October. Because of the good rains, Rabi season sowing has increased. According to official data, Rabi sowing in the state has increased by 15 lakh hectares over the last year.

Compared to last year, wheat sowing increased by about 103%, barley by 87 percent, mustard and taramira by 16 percent, gramme by 27 percent, and other crops by about 56%. Because of increased sowing, the demand for fertilisers, particularly urea, has increased across the state, but supply is insufficient. The state requires a minimum of 8 rakes daily, but only 3-4 rakes are supplied daily.

Dinesh Kumar, Principal Secretary to the Government, stated at a recent review meeting that the central government had approved the demand for 14.50 lakh metric tonnes of urea and 4.50 lakh metric tonnes of DAP for the Rabi 2022-23 (October to March) season.

But the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilisers supplied 2.89 lakh metric tonnes of Urea versus 4.50 lakh metric tonnes in October and 1.65 lakh metric tonnes of DAP versus 2 lakh metric tonnes. As a result, 1.61 lakh metric tonnes of urea and 35 thousand metric tonnes of DAP are in short supply. Similarly, only 1.57 lakh metric tonnes of urea and 50 thousand metric tonnes of DAP have been delivered this month.

Agriculture Minister Lalchand Kataria stated that this year's demand for fertilisers for Rabi crops is high, but there is a supply shortage from the central government. While Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot directed officials to ensure an uninterrupted supply of fertilisers in the state by coordinating with the Central Government regularly.