BJP’s weak management created shortage of DAP for farmers, says Sirsa MP

Sirsa MP and former Union Minister Kumari Selja today lambasted the BJP government over the DAP (Diammonium phosphate) fertilizer shortage in the state.

“The shortage of the DAP is affecting wheat sowing. Farmers have already irrigated their fields. They have to irrigate fields again due to unavailability of the DAP fertilizer which will delay the wheat sowing. The longer the delay in sowing, the greater the impact on production. This will add to farmers’ financial burden,” said Selja.

Over 6 million bags required

Wheat is sown over 2.3 million hectares of land in Haryana which significantly contributes to the country’s food reserves. For sowing wheat on this area alone, over six million bags of DAP are required. Kumari Selja, former Union Minister

She said, “Wheat is sown over 2.3 million hectares of land in Haryana which significantly contributes to the country’s food reserves. For sowing wheat on this area alone, over six million bags of DAP are required.”

She said, “Wheat sowing begins in October. So, the government should have arranged for DAP supplies in September itself to prevent shortage of the fertilizer.”

However, she claimed that the BJP government failed to arrange DAP on time as it was more focused on celebrating its victory in the Assembly elections. Selja said the BJP government, which claims to be pro-farmer, had proven itself otherwise. She accused the BJP of discriminating against farmers based on regions within the state. She pointed out that only 1,381 metric tonnes (MT) of DAP was sent to Sirsa after more than 10 days, resulting in each of the 57 societies receiving only five bags of the fertilizer, which she linked to “a drop in the ocean”.

Selja said by depriving farmers of the DAP during the sowing season, the BJP had caused them financial harm. “Now, farmers will have to use diesel for additional irrigation. Wheat sowing will be delayed by three to four weeks which will lower production. Instead of addressing losses that farmers are likely to face, leaders of the BJP are busy celebrating their win in Assembly polls,” she said.