CHANDIGARH/HISAR: Farmers across various districts of Haryana are grappling with a severe shortage of Di-ammonium Phosphate (DAP) fertilizer, a crucial input for the ongoing Rabi sowing season, particularly for wheat and mustard crops. The crisis has triggered widespread protests, with farmers alleging official apathy from the state government and being forced to pay exorbitant prices to illegal stockists.
The escalating shortage of DAP—which is vital for early plant growth—has left thousands of farmers queuing for hours outside cooperative societies and government outlets, often returning empty-handed. This delays sowing, raising fears of a significant drop in crop yield.
Black Market Booms: DAP Sold at ₹600 Premium
Amid the government-regulated price for a bag of DAP, reports from the ground indicate that illegal stockists and private dealers are black marketing the essential fertilizer, charging farmers a premium of up to ₹600 extra per bag. With the official price set at a subsided rate (typically around ₹1,350), distressed farmers are reportedly being forced to pay upwards of ₹1,900 to ₹2,000 per bag to secure the necessary supply for their fields.
Farmers and union representatives accuse black marketeers of creating an artificial scarcity by hoarding stock, a practice that thrives during periods of high demand and low government supply. The desperation to avoid an irreversible loss in crop production is driving farmers into the hands of these illegal operators.
State Government Under Fire for 'Apathy'
The Haryana government has come under sharp criticism from opposition parties and farmer unions, who claim the administration has failed to ensure timely and adequate supply. Despite protests and visible distress among the farming community, the state's Agriculture Minister and other officials have, in statements, repeatedly denied any shortage, asserting that sufficient stock of DAP has been allocated and is available for distribution.
However, the ground reality appears to contradict these official claims. In several districts, local authorities have had to resort to distributing the limited available fertilizer under heavy police protection—a clear indicator of the high demand and volatile situation. Farmer leaders have called the government's denial "insensitive" and a failure to acknowledge the existential crisis facing farmers during a critical sowing window.
"The government says there is no shortage, but we are standing in queues from dawn and going back with empty hands. If there is no shortage, why are we being forced to buy it in the black market at a premium?" questioned a protesting farmer in the Kaithal region.
Farmer unions have warned that if the state government does not take immediate and concrete steps to crack down on black marketing and ensure an uninterrupted supply of DAP at the official price, the protests will intensify. They are demanding a transparent distribution mechanism and strict action against all dealers and officials found complicit in the illegal stocking and overcharging.