In a significant move to address the dangers of unchecked fertiliser use, the district administration of Chamba in Himachal Pradesh has initiated the formation of special monitoring committees. This decision comes in the wake of growing concerns over the potential misuse of chemical fertilisers for non-agricultural purposes.
Multi-Tier Committee Structure to Ensure Vigilance
Deputy Commissioner Mukesh Repswal announced on Thursday that Dharti Mata Bachao Nigrani Samitis (Dharti Mata Bachao Monitoring Committees) will be established at three levels: village, sub-division, and district. The primary mandate of these panels is to keep a close watch on the sale and distribution of fertilisers, particularly in panchayat and border regions.
The committees are tasked with a crucial role: reporting any excessive or suspicious supply of fertilisers to individuals or groups to the relevant authorities. Furthermore, they will maintain strict vigilance to prevent the illegal smuggling or misuse of these substances near border areas.
Direct Response to Safety Threats
This administrative action gains urgency from a recent national tragedy. The initiative is notably prompted by the explosion at Delhi's Red Fort, which resulted in 10 fatalities. Investigations reportedly linked that incident to the misuse of ammonium nitrate, a compound commonly available in agricultural stores.
Detailing the committee's composition, DC Repswal stated that the Gram Pradhan will serve as the chairperson. The members will include the Gram Panchayat Secretary, Agriculture Sakhi, Drone Didi, progressive farmers, representatives from Primary Agricultural Credit Societies or Farmer Producer Organisations, and an official from the local agriculture department.
Promoting Sustainable Farming and Cracking Down on Fakes
The committees will have a dual focus: promotion of responsible farming and enforcement against illegal trade. A key objective is to encourage farmers to use chemical fertilisers judiciously based on soil health card recommendations. This data-driven approach aims to optimise usage and prevent over-application.
Simultaneously, the panels will monitor the production and distribution of counterfeit or adulterated fertilisers. Any such cases discovered will be reported to authorities at the sub-division or district level for immediate action.
The district administration plans a targeted outreach program. At least 100 villages or locations with high chemical fertiliser usage will be identified. Agricultural scientists from Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) will then visit each of these spots to conduct awareness campaigns, educating farmers on the proper and safe use of fertilisers.
To ensure continuous oversight, each committee is required to hold a minimum of two meetings every agricultural season. These meetings will review fertiliser consumption patterns and discuss any unusual spikes in use. The committee will analyse retail sales data from the agriculture office to pinpoint the reasons behind any abnormal increase and will subsequently educate farmers to address the issue.
This comprehensive strategy by the Chamba administration reflects a proactive shift towards ensuring agricultural inputs are used safely for their intended purpose, safeguarding both community security and environmental health.
