Ensure availability of quality fertilizers, seeds to farmers as per demand for Kharif season: CM Sai

Raipur (Team Newsbuddy): In view of the upcoming Kharif season, Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai has directed the officials to ensure availability of fertilizers and seeds in sufficient quantity in the cooperative societies. Chief Minister has asked the officials of the Agriculture and Cooperation Department to closely monitor the status of storage and lifting of quality fertilizers and seeds. Chief Minister has directed the officials to make arrangements for supply of quality fertilizers and seeds to the farmers on the basis of their demand through cooperative societies by June 15. Chief Minister has urged the officials to take every possible measure for the convenience of the farmers, providing them easy access to quality fertilizers and seeds. Strict action should be taken against the officials found negligent in the storage and distribution of fertilizers and seeds through cooperative societies.

Based on his extensive experience in agriculture, Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai has stated that there is often higher demand for DAP fertilizers among the farmers during the Kharif season. Therefore, special attention should be paid to monitor the demand and supply of DAP fertilizers. He has initiated a special campaign for quality testing of fertilizers and seeds through sampling and laboratories. He has directed officials of the agriculture department to monitor the demand, storage, distribution, and quality of fertilizers and seeds in their respective areas.

The Agriculture Production Commissioner has informed that against the demand for 13.68 lakh metric tons of fertilizers for the Kharif season 2024-25, availability of 9.13 lakh metric tons have already been ensured, which is 67% of the demand. Distribution of fertilizers and seeds through cooperative societies is in progress. Measures are being taken to ensure the quality of fertilizers through inspection and sampling. A total of 1067 samples have been collected for the quality control of chemical and organic fertilizers, which are being tested in the laboratories. Adequate quantities of seeds for various Kharif crops are available in societies. Against the demand for 5,59,203 quintals of seeds for the Kharif season 2024-25, 6,39,004 quintals of seeds have been made available, which is 114% of the demand. So far, farmers have procured 3,75,000 quintals of seeds, which is 67% of the seed demand.