Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar: The state government's pilot project mandating online booking of chemical fertilisers through a cellphone application in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar and Kolhapur districts has met with significant resistance, with many farmers and dealers flagging technical issues with the app and delays in supply.
Manoj Sankh, a farmer from Khultabad taluka in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, said the app has been difficult to use. "Registration takes considerable time and often requires multiple unsuccessful attempts before completion," he said.
Hari Navpute, who operates a Krushi Seva Kendra in Chittepimpalgaon near Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, said many farmers still did not own smartphones needed to access the app. "Although the app is being updated regularly, which is encouraging, farmers still depend heavily on Krushi Seva Kendras for registration," he said.
Protesting the issues, Congress MP Kalyan Kale led a 'Rasta Roko' demonstration at Cambridge Chowk on Jalna Road. He said persistent technical glitches, insufficient guidance and delayed availability of fertilisers had caused widespread dissatisfaction. "Farmers are forced to make repeated visits to agricultural service centres during the crucial kharif season, leading to loss of time, labour and money," he said.
Congress district president Kiran Patil Dongaonkar also called on the administration to act swiftly. "Timely access to fertilisers is a right of farmers. Any delays could negatively impact agricultural output and food production," he said.
Officials from the agriculture department acknowledged initial challenges but maintained that the system was being continuously improved. A senior official said, "The transition to an online system is necessary to enhance transparency and accountability, and to curb black marketing, hoarding, and illegal sales. Farmers are requested to view the reform as beneficial in the long run."
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