Jaipur: Already hit by unavailability of DAP fertiliser at a time when the Kharif crop has to be sown, farmers across the state are now raising concerns about unfair practices in DAP fertiliser distribution. According to them, to buy DAP, they are being forced to purchase additional products, including fertilisers and pesticides.While struggling to obtain DAP for their sowing needs, farmers in districts like Sriganganagar, Sikar, Jhunjhunu, Churu, and Dausa face pressure from traders to buy costly pesticides and sprays alongside the fertiliser. Agriculture minister Kirori Lal Meena has acknowledged this issue and promised to act by initiating a campaign to stop these unethical trading practices.“It is the sowing time for cotton and guar. When we visit the trader, he will first claim that DAP is not available. Later, after seeing our urge to get it, he will give DAP at Rs 1,350 per 50 kg sack. But DAP is sold only when we take other bioproducts, including Nano Urea, Phosphorus, or Zinc. It means if we want to buy DAP, we need to purchase additional products worth Rs 500 to Rs 600,” Amar Singh, a farmer from Sriganganagar, told TOI.He added that even at cooperative stores, this malpractice is taking place. “Most of the fertiliser companies first create a fake shortage of DAP, and when there are hues and cries, they ask farmers to buy other products along with DAP,” Singh added.The situation is similar in districts like Sikar. “Not only DAP, even for other fertilisers when we visit shops, we are asked to buy other products,” said Madan Lal, a farmer from Sagoth village in the district.Some days ago, minister Meena had raided a place in Suratgarh and distributed 3,000 packets of DAP. He had said, “If a farmer needs only DAP, why should he buy other products too? Farmers are being exploited in the name of fertilisers and seeds. I will ensure continuous campaigns to address this issue.”Jaipur: Already hit by unavailability of DAP fertiliser at a time when the Kharif crop has to be sown, farmers across the state are now raising concerns about unfair practices in DAP fertiliser distribution. According to them, to buy DAP, they are being forced to purchase additional products, including fertilisers and pesticides.While struggling to obtain DAP for their sowing needs, farmers in districts like Sriganganagar, Sikar, Jhunjhunu, Churu, and Dausa face pressure from traders to buy costly pesticides and sprays alongside the fertiliser. Agriculture minister Kirori Lal Meena has acknowledged this issue and promised to act by initiating a campaign to stop these unethical trading practices.“It is the sowing time for cotton and guar. When we visit the trader, he will first claim that DAP is not available. Later, after seeing our urge to get it, he will give DAP at Rs 1,350 per 50 kg sack. But DAP is sold only when we take other bioproducts, including Nano Urea, Phosphorus, or Zinc. It means if we want to buy DAP, we need to purchase additional products worth Rs 500 to Rs 600,” Amar Singh, a farmer from Sriganganagar, told TOI.He added that even at cooperative stores, this malpractice is taking place. “Most of the fertiliser companies first create a fake shortage of DAP, and when there are hues and cries, they ask farmers to buy other products along with DAP,” Singh added.The situation is similar in districts like Sikar. “Not only DAP, even for other fertilisers when we visit shops, we are asked to buy other products,” said Madan Lal, a farmer from Sagoth village in the district.Some days ago, minister Meena had raided a place in Suratgarh and distributed 3,000 packets of DAP. He had said, “If a farmer needs only DAP, why should he buy other products too? Farmers are being exploited in the name of fertilisers and seeds. I will ensure continuous campaigns to address this issue.”
