Bhubaneswar: In response to complaints regarding insufficient fertiliser supply during the kharif season, Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi directed district collectors to monitor the distribution of urea closely. This directive followed reports from farmers across the State who protested, claiming delays and shortages in fertiliser distribution that negatively impact paddy cultivation. The Chief Minister confirmed that there is no fertiliser shortage in the State. An official statement from the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) indicated that Odisha requires 9,55,000 tonnes of fertilisers for the 2025 kharif season (by September 30), with this quantity already allocated by the Central government. Currently, the State possesses 11,66,733 tonnes of fertilisers, of which 9,85,967 tonnes have been distributed or sold to farmers.
Despite this availability, the Chief Minister instructed district collectors to ensure strict oversight of fertiliser distribution via Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS) and Large-sized Adivasi Multipurpose Cooperative Societies (LAMPCS) in their districts. He also called for prompt action against any reports of black marketing or hoarding of fertilisers. Instead of confiscating fertilisers at inspection points, they should be moved to the nearest PACS or LAMPCS for distribution to farmers. The Agriculture department was advised to supply various grades of fertilisers to PACS and LAMPCS based on local stock and district needs. Additionally, Majhi urged Markfed (Marketing Federation) officials to speed up the fertiliser supply chain.
He stressed the importance of regular checks at district and block levels to combat illegal activities and enforce strict measures against black marketing. The Chief Minister also highlighted the government’s commitment to crop diversification and integrated farming systems in each district, emphasizing the promotion of oilseed and pulse cultivation as essential to the State’s agricultural development strategy. He conducted a virtual meeting with all district collectors to discuss fertiliser distribution activities in their areas.
