Farmers reel under urea shortage and power cuts, says Telangana Vikasa Samiti

A field study by the Telangana Vikasa Samiti has revealed a worsening crisis for farmers across the state, driven by a severe shortage of urea and unreliable power supply. The report highlights long queues, procedural delays due to biometric and OTP systems, and crop failures, especially among paddy, maize, and cotton growers.

Hyderabad: A ground-level study conducted by the Telangana Vikasa Samiti has highlighted the deepening crisis faced by farmers across the State due to a persistent shortage of urea and worsening power supply.

The study, led by Professor K Seetharamarao, Dr Arroju Srinivas and Puliraju, revealed that farmers are enduring long queues, bureaucratic hurdles, and crop losses not seen in the past decade. Teams visited several villages and urea sales centres in Wargal, Gajwel, Rayapol and Mulugu mandals.

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According to the findings, farmers are waiting for days to secure a token and then spending hours in another line to obtain a single bag of urea. This stands in sharp contrast to earlier years when fertiliser was delivered to their homes.

The newly introduced biometric and OTP verification system, intended to ensure transparency, has become another hurdle. In many cases, both husband and wife are required for authentication, while tenant farmers face delays since the OTP must be obtained from the landowner.

The shortage is particularly severe for paddy growers, who need at least two bags of urea per acre during the tillering stage. Without adequate supply, plants fail to branch properly, leading to a sharp fall in yields. Maize and cotton farmers are facing similar problems, with crops failing to develop as expected. Frustration is so high that some farmers have begun abandoning their fields.

The study also noted glaring disparities in access. Small and marginal farmers are spending days in queues, while those holding 20 acres or more appear to have fewer difficulties in securing supply, raising questions about the fairness of distribution.

Beyond fertiliser: Power woes compound distress

The Samiti further recorded complaints of worsening electricity supply. Farmers said frequent power cuts and erratic fluctuations are burning out their pump motors, adding to financial strain. They noted that while power issues were once resolved quickly, responses from officials are now delayed.

Appeal to government

The findings directly contradict government claims that there is no shortage. The Samiti has urged the Chief Minister to get first-hand reports from officials and act immediately to address the farmers’ distress. The report warns that without swift intervention, the crisis could escalate into a full-blown agricultural disaster.