CHANDIGARH, August 7 — Panic buying of fertilisers has gripped Punjab’s farming community amid growing fears of a repeat of last year’s shortages, forcing many to stockpile urea and diammonium phosphate (DAP) ahead of the upcoming rabi season.
Kulwinder Singh, a farmer from Sangatpura village in Sangrur, said he’s been travelling across towns to secure DAP — even though it’s not needed for his current paddy crop. “We barely need urea at this stage of paddy, but due to last year’s crisis and rising prices, I’m purchasing DAP in advance for wheat. Dealers are selling it only in bundles with pesticides or other chemicals,” he said,
Across the state, farmers are scrambling to secure essential fertilisers, worried about supply disruptions and black marketing. The situation has been worsened by the alleged diversion of subsidised fertilisers for industrial use, skewing availability and inflating prices in the open market.
Official sources said that Punjab requires around 5.50 lakh metric tonnes (LMT) of DAP for the rabi season. Despite the fixed rate being Rs 1,350 per 50-kg bag, DAP is being sold for Rs 1,600 to Rs 1,800. Urea, with an MRP of Rs 266 for a 45-kg bag, is selling between Rs 290 and Rs 300.
Farmer unions have demanded that the sale of fertilisers be routed strictly through Primary Agricultural Cooperative Societies to curb profiteering. “Private dealers are exploiting the situation. The government must step in,” said a union spokesperson.
As per figures accessed by The Tribune, Punjab was allocated 11.50 LMT of urea between April and July, with an opening stock of 3.33 LMT, bringing the total availability to 14.83 LMT. However, the estimated requirement for the season stands at 16.50 LMT, and a portion of urea was already used for summer maize cultivation — reducing the availability for paddy.
The Union Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilisers, in a recent communication, flagged concerns over Punjab’s “abnormally high demand” and questioned the end-use of subsidised urea. A demi-official letter sent 10 days ago urged the state to verify potential diversion of fertiliser for industrial applications.
Responding to the Centre’s concern, the Punjab Agriculture Department has launched surprise inspections across districts. “Special teams have been constituted and FIRs have been registered against several dealers and plywood manufacturers found illegally using subsidised urea,” said a senior official.
Cases have been filed in Barnala, Bathinda, Kapurthala, Mansa, and Sangrur, where dealers were allegedly selling fertiliser stock meant for farmers to industrial units.
While inspections continue, farmers remain anxious. “Last year, we were left stranded during the wheat sowing season. We can’t take chances again,” said another farmer from Mansa district.
The state government has assured that strict measures will be taken to ensure equitable distribution of fertilisers and curb black market operations ahead of the critical rabi period.
