Chouhan Urges States To Take Action Against Diversion Of Fertilizers

To curb the sale of fake fertilizers as well as prevent black marketing of subsidized fertilizers, agriculture minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has urged states to strictly monitor supplies and take action against overpricing and diversion of such highly subsidized soil-nutrients.

- SANDIP DAS

According to Chouhan, it is the state's responsibility to ensure that there is adequate availability of fertilizers at the right place and location. In a communication, he stated that states need to regularly monitor the production and sale of fertilizers. There is also a need to impose strict controls to prevent the entry of counterfeit and substandard products. This needs to be done through sampling and testing.

Chouhan also urged states to stop the forced tagging of nano-fertilizers or bio-stimulant products along with conventional fertilizers.

Sources said that there are reports of companies tagging nano products such as nano urea and nano-DAP (Diammonium phosphate) with conventional highly subsidized fertilizers to boost sales.