Distribute DAP properly among farmers: DC to pvt dealers

Following complaints about the storage of DAP fertilisers by big farmers in the district, Deputy Commissioner Manoj Kumar on Monday took a stringent note of it and directed all Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS) and private dealers to distribute DAP fertiliser among farmers properly.

The Deputy Commissioner claimed that there was no shortage of DAP in the district. A total 9,400 metric tonnes had arrived so far in the district against the total demand of 14,000 metric tonnes.

He also warned the private dealers of strict action if they gave pesticides and seeds forcefully to the farmers along with DAP.

Kumar on Monday held a meeting with all private dealers,  PACS operators, Agriculture Department officials, Iffco and Kribhco and all other agency operators related to fertiliser distribution regarding the supply of DAP in the district in view of the sowing season.

The Deputy Commissioner directed that small farmers having upto five acres be provided with 100 per cent DAP fertilisers, 75 per cent of the total demand must be given to those farmers having upto 10 acres and 50 per cent of the total demand to the big farmers.

The steps have been initiated after receiving the complaints from the farmers about the shortage of DAP fertilisers in the district. The big farmers were stocking DAP while the small farmers were running from pillar to post to get these, the DC said.

The DC said the complaints were also received from several places that the private dealers were forcefully selling pesticides and seeds to the farmers along with  DAP, the DC said. If anyone (private dealer) was found doing so strict action would be initiated, the DC asserted.

During the meeting it also came to the fore that some PACS operators had not sent their demand for the fertilisers on time, due to which only 14 PACS out of a total 34 got a stock for distribution.

The Deputy Commissioner directed all SDMs to hold meeting with all PACS directors in their areas and to keep vigil. If any PACS was not working properly, then the PACS Board of Directors concerned should be dissolved and constituted afresh. He further directed the officials of the Hafed and Kribhco to continuously check the stock of DAP in the district.