Government Data Shows Adequate Fertiliser Supply in Haryana, Farmers Dispute Claims
In a parliamentary reply, the Union government has asserted that the availability of urea and other fertilisers in Haryana remained sufficient over the last five years, from 2020-21 to 2024-25. This statement was made by Minister of State Anupriya Patel, representing the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilisers, in response to an unstarred question posed by Ambala Lok Sabha member Varun Chaudhary.
Official Mechanism for Fertiliser Allocation
The minister detailed the systematic process for fertiliser distribution. Each cropping season, the Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, in consultation with state governments, assesses state-wise and month-wise fertiliser requirements. Based on these assessments, the Department of Fertilisers allocates quantities through meticulously planned monthly supply strategies.
Monitoring and coordination efforts are robust, according to the government. The movement of subsidised fertilisers, including urea, is tracked via the Integrated Fertiliser Management System (iFMS), a comprehensive web-based online platform. State governments are regularly advised to coordinate with manufacturers and importers to ensure timely placement of indents, while the distribution at the district level is managed by the respective state administrations.
Ground Reality Contrasts with Official Data
Despite the government's claims of adequate supply, backed by detailed data on requirement, availability, sales, and closing stock of urea provided to MP Chaudhary, farmers in Haryana report a starkly different situation. Chaudhary highlighted that official data indicates fertiliser availability exceeding requirements, yet on the ground, farmers consistently face hardships.
"Every season, farmers in Haryana are forced to stand in long queues for fertilisers, and in many instances, urea is rationed and not provided in the required quantity at one time," Chaudhary stated. He emphasised that this discrepancy suggests a lack of coordination by the Haryana government with relevant agencies to streamline fertiliser supplies, directly impacting crop yields and farmers' livelihoods.
Criticism of Government Response
Chaudhary criticised the parliamentary reply for allegedly overlooking the core issue raised in his question: the admission of shortages and delays in timely fertiliser supply to farmers, which he described as a recurring seasonal concern. He argued that the government's focus on data fails to address the practical challenges faced by agricultural communities.
The MP has urged the state government to take immediate action by reassessing monthly requirements more realistically and ensuring smooth, timely, and sufficient availability of fertilisers. This call to action aims to safeguard agricultural productivity and support farmers' interests in Haryana.
The ongoing debate underscores a significant gap between statistical assurances and the lived experiences of farmers, highlighting the need for improved governance and responsive policy implementation in the agricultural sector.
