Now, farmers to get DAP from nearest operational co-op society

In a respite to the farmers facing the shortage of DAP (Di-ammonium phosphate) due to defunct cooperative societies, the district administration has asked them to get it from their nearest cooperative society.

Deputy Commissioner Sakshi Sawhney during a meeting with the farmers here on Wednesday said that the state cooperative department has already issued directions in this regard.

She said to help operational cooperative societies meet the increased demand from farmers where societies are defunct, the administration has increased their supply and revised instructions have been forwarded to the fertiliser suppliers.

A few days ago, The Tribune had highlighted that at least 56 agricultural cooperative societies in the district are either defunct or bankrupt. The government had earlier allocated 60 per cent of the DAP quota for sale through cooperative societies.

The remaining 40 per cent quota has been allocated to private fertiliser dealers. However, amid the ongoing shortage of DAP in the market, farmers in villages where cooperative societies were defunct were facing a double whammy.

The Deputy Commissioner said apart from making efforts to ensure availability of DAP, farmers are being educated about the use of alternative fertilisers, such as TSP, SSP and NPK along with urea.