BRS leader and former MLA Sunke Ravishankar criticised the Telangana government for its failure to provide adequate urea to farmers in Karimnagar. During a visit to Kurikyala in Gangadhara Mandal, he observed long queues of farmers struggling to get fertiliser.
In Saidapur mandal, Karimnagar, a severe urea shortage led farmers to adopt an unusual method of queuing, placing their slippers in line to reserve spots at a fertiliser distribution center. The incident highlights ongoing agricultural supply challenges in Telangana during the critical crop season.
Telangana's Kharif sowing in 2025 has reached 90 lakh acres, a significant increase from last year. However, paddy transplantation remains behind schedule with only 35 lakh acres covered out of a target of 66 lakh. Erratic rainfall and urea shortages have hindered paddy sowing, while crops like cotton and maize are progressing well.
Kharif sowing has gained momentum in Telangana with improved rainfall, but a severe urea shortage persists. Protests have erupted across districts, as farmers face inflated prices and supply gaps, with the State-Centre blame game stalling resolution of the crisis.
Venkataramana Reddy ridiculed Agriculture Minister Tummala Nageswara Rao's claims that fertiliser supply to farmers depends on the supplies from the Central government which has been asking States to encourage organic farming.
Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy met Union Minister J.P. Nadda in Delhi to highlight the shortage and request additional supply, however, no additional supplies have been received so far.
RFCL has slashed urea allocations to Telangana, supplying only 10,000 tonnes so far this year, compared to over 1.14 lakh tonnes last year. CM Revanth Reddy raised the issue with the Centre. Farmers have staged protests amid the ongoing Vanakalam season.
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.
Farmers in Siddipet’s Hymadnagar village confronted PACS staff over alleged black marketing of urea, after being told stocks had run out. Agitated farmers offered to pay higher prices and threatened protests before police arrived to defuse the situation
Telangana, which ranks fifth in India for fertilizer usage with an average of 173 kg per acre, faces a supply crisis that has led to localised price hikes
Facing an acute urea shortage amid Kharif sowing, Agriculture Minister Thummala Nageswara Rao has appealed to the Centre for urgent intervention. Telangana has received only 3.06 LMT out of 5 LMT allocated so far, sparking concern among farmers
Agriculture Minister Thummala Nageshwara Rao is also expected to visit the capital to discuss the issue with the Union Fertilisers Minister, pressing for more domestically produced urea to compensate for import delays.
