The Union ministry of agriculture and farmers' welfare has developed a new mobile application aimed at making fertiliser distribution more transparent and curbing black marketing. The Fertiliser Sale Application System is currently being tested in Maharashtra, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat and Telangana.
Pilot Project in Pune District
In Maharashtra, the pilot project has been running for the past week in Ashtapur village, Haveli taluka, Pune district. Under the new system, farmers can check fertiliser shops within a 20-km radius through the app and see which fertilisers are in stock. They can then book the required fertiliser online without visiting the shop. Once confirmed, the stock is reserved in the farmer's name and can be collected from the selected shop within three days after payment, either online or at the shop.
Aadhaar Verification and QR Code
Officials stated that Aadhaar verification will be compulsory for registration. After booking, farmers receive a QR code on their mobile phones, which is scanned at the fertiliser shop before delivery. Sunil Borkar, director of agriculture (Quality Control and Input), told TOI that during trials over the past few days, 124 farmers from the village purchased 206 bags of fertilisers using the app. The trial was successful, and the system will soon be implemented in other regions of the state.
Farmer Concerns and Suggestions
However, some farmers expressed concerns that the online process may be difficult for many users, especially small and marginal farmers who are less familiar with technology. Farmer activist Shantaram Sarvade from Khed tehsil emphasised the need for a robust system to monitor retailers who hoard fertilisers to sell at higher prices during shortages. "Regular stock checks are essential to prevent hoarding," he said.
Official Response
Agriculture department officials said the app will bring transparency to fertiliser sales and reduce illegal hoarding and diversion of subsidised stock. "Farmers will know exactly where fertilisers are available and how much stock is left. This can reduce unnecessary crowding and panic buying," an official noted. The system is also expected to help authorities monitor sales digitally, as all bookings and transactions are recorded online and linked to the existing integrated fertiliser management system.
Implementation Plans
Officials indicated that the system may be implemented experimentally in two districts from May 29, though the names are yet to be finalised.
Positive Feedback from Farmers
Farmers who participated in the trial welcomed the initiative. Santosh Kotwal said, "I could book fertilisers at a nearby retailer shop. It is handy if you know how to use a smartphone. However, in many villages, network connectivity is a major concern. Authorities should ensure support for small and marginal farmers." Santosh Dhamane added, "In many villages, farmers stand in queues for hours only to learn that stock has finished. If the app shows real-time availability, it will save both time and money."
