Bhubaneswar, Aug 24 (PTI) Seeking a downward revision in the prices of chemical fertilisers, Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik today said the Centre's policies would have adverse impact on foodgrain production in the state.
"It is matter of serious concern that instead of encouraging farmers, the recent policies of the government of India on pricing and supply of chemical fertilisers have caused a great deal of imbalance leading to widespread resentment," Patnaik said in a letter to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.
Expressing fear that the present policies would have adverse impact on the foodgrain production, Patnaik said adequate and balanced use of fertiliser by farmers would go a long way in increasing the productivity of foodgrain.
Claiming that Odisha had been making significant contribution to the food security of the nation, the chief minister pointed out that except urea, the prices of other major fertilisers like Di Ammonium Phosphate (DAP), Muriate of Potash (MOP) and Complex fertilisers have increased by more than 100 per cent since April 1, 2011.
"As a result, our small and marginal farmers are unable to afford the balanced use of chemical fertilisers," Patnaik wrote in the letter adding that even Urea was not being supplied to Odisha in adequate quantities despite specific allocations by the Centre for kharif-2012.
Though the Ministry of Chemical and Fertiliser committed to supply 4.5 lakh MT Urea during April-September, 2012, actual supply till August 23, 2012 was only 1.99 lakh MT, which was less than half of what was promised to the state, Patnaik said.
As per the 'supply plan' of the Centre, 71,000 mt of imported urea was to be supplied to the state during August, 2012, Patnaik said.
But the ship carrying imported Urea for the state was still in the high seas. "Unless supplied on time, this will have serious consequences for the farmers of Odisha," he said.
Seeking Prime Minister's intervention into the mater to salvage the situation, Patnaik said the state's minimum expectation would be to receive the full quota of Urea as per the central allocation by end of September, of which at least one lakh MT may be supplied within the next one week.
"I would also urge you to seriously consider a downward revision in the prices of chemical fertilisers to safeguard the interest of the farming community," he said.
Odisha was among the seven states currently implementing the scheme "bringing Green Revolution to Eastern India (BGREI)".
| 
ShareThis
No comments:
Post a Comment