Private traders selling urea at high prices in Karimnagar

Taking it as an advantage, traders are trying to make money by creating an artificial shortage of urea. Both Markfed and private dealers should sell fertiliser by 60 and 40 percent respectively. However, the ratio has not been followed.

Karimnagar: Farmers are facing troubles as private traders are selling urea at high prices. Though the traders have adequate stocks, they are selling it at a high price by creating an artificial shortage.

Though the original price of a 45 kg urea bag is Rs 266.50, it is being sold at Rs 310. Some traders are selling a bag of fertiliser at Rs 330 to Rs 350, by creating an artificial shortage.

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Going a step ahead, some of the traders are making it mandatory to purchase organic potash if the farmers want urea bags. If anybody refuses to take potash, they have been warned that urea may not be available in the coming days. Afraid of the warning, farmers were forced to purchase potash. The price of a 20 kg bag of potash is Rs 1,400.

Farmers, who are eagerly waiting for rains as there have been no drizzles even after one month of the beginning of the rainy season, are facing troubles with the attitude of traders.

Despite the deficit rainfall, some of the ryots having water facilities have started the cultivation process.

Taking it as an advantage, traders are trying to make money by creating an artificial shortage of urea. Both Markfed and private dealers should sell fertiliser by 60 and 40 percent respectively. However, the ratio has not been followed.

Moreover, the government gave clear instructions that a urea bag should be given per acre of land and warned that it would cancel dealerships if traders violate norms. It was found during agricultural officials’ inspections that a dealer in Karimnagar rural mandal sold about 50 bags of urea to a farmer on a single passbook.

Though the agricultural officials made it clear that there was no shortage of fertiliser and stock is frequently being supplied to centers depending on the demand, farmers are seen staging protests for urea.

A total of 24,493 metric tonnes of urea have arrived in the district as against 43,254 metric tonnes required for Vanakalam season.