Illegal fertilizer transport to Kerala busted in Chamarajanagar; JD(S) alleges State role

A truck illegally transporting urea from Karnataka to Kerala was seized in Chamarajanagar, intensifying the political clash over fertilizer shortages. JD(S) blamed the Congress for betrayal, while the Chief Minister urged opposition leaders to press the Centre for more allotment

Chamarajanagar: Amidst growing protests by farmers across Karnataka over an acute shortage of urea fertilizer, a major illegal transport of urea was intercepted in Chamarajanagar district. The incident has further intensified the ongoing blame game between the central and State governments over the availability and distribution of fertilizers in the State.

Acting on specific information, agricultural officers and police officials seized a truck carrying approximately 330 bags — around 15 tonnes — of urea that was being illegally transported from a warehouse in Nanjangud to Kerala. The operation took place at the Moolehole check-post in Gundlupet taluk, where the authorities halted the vehicle and took it into custody.

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Transportation of urea across State borders without permission is strictly prohibited. A case has been registered at the Nanjangud police station.

As reports of fertilizer shortages continue to emerge, political tensions have escalated. The Janata Dal (Secular) lashed out at the Congress government, accusing it of failing to ensure timely fertilizer supply to farmers while allegedly allowing illegal diversion of urea meant for Karnataka.

“The Congress government, instead of distributing fertilizers to our farmers, is smuggling urea received from the central government to Kerala during the night. This is a betrayal of Karnataka’s farmers,” JD(S) leaders alleged in a statement.

They further claimed that farmers are being forced to wait endlessly outside Raitha Samparka Kendras (Farmer Facilitation Centres) without receiving adequate urea supply.

ರಾಜ್ಯದ ರೈತರಿಗೆ ರಸಗೊಬ್ಬರ ಕೊಡಲು ಹಿಂದೇಟು ಹಾಕುತ್ತಿರುವ @INCKarnataka ಸರ್ಕಾರ, ಕೇಂದ್ರ ಸರ್ಕಾರ ಗೊಬ್ಬರ ಕೊಟ್ಟಿಲ್ಲ, ಕೊಟ್ಟಿಲ್ಲ ಎನ್ನುತ್ತಲೇ, ಕೇಂದ್ರ ಸರ್ಕಾರದಿಂದ ಬಂದಿರುವ ಯೂರಿಯಾವನ್ನು ರಾತ್ರೋರಾತ್ರಿ ಕೇರಳಕ್ಕೆ ಕಳ್ಳಸಾಗಣೆ ಮಾಡುತ್ತಿದೆ.

ರಾಜ್ಯಾದ್ಯಂತ ರೈತ ಸಂಪರ್ಕ ಕೇಂದ್ರಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ರೈತರು ದಿನಗಟ್ಟಲೇ ಕಾದರೂ ಗೊಬ್ಬರ… pic.twitter.com/eizzaTzGJQ

— Janata Dal Secular (@JanataDal_S) August 5, 2025

In another alarming revelation, reports have emerged of black market sales in Raichur district. Around 79 tonnes of urea, originally meant for the Kallur Primary Agricultural Credit Cooperative Society’s warehouse, was allegedly diverted and sold illegally in the open market. Following farmer complaints, a probe has been launched.

Adding to the political back-and-forth, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah hit back at former CM and Union Minister HD Kumaraswamy, urging him to lobby with the Centre for increased urea allotment instead of staging protests.

Experts and fertilizer dealers acknowledge that the demand for urea has surged this year, particularly due to increased maize cultivation.

“Yes, there is a shortage. With more maize being sown this season, demand has naturally gone up. We are requesting farmers to also consider Nano-DAP as a supplementary input,” a fertilizer dealer explained.