Telangana farmers continue to protest as urea shortage turns worse

A worsening urea shortage has triggered protests across Telangana, with farmers storming warehouses, blocking highways and staging sit-ins. The State blames the Centre for failing to supply promised stocks, while farmers warn of crop losses and allege black marketing of fertilizer

Hyderabad: Kharif farmers across the State are in for a trying time with urea shortage turning acute, leading to widespread protests and despair across Telangana.

In Maripeda of Mahabubabad district, farmers stormed warehouses to seize urea bags, while in Atmakur of Suryapet district, women farmers are among those camping outside the Primary Agricultural Cooperative Society (PACS) for four days, braving rain and mosquitoes as part of their long wait for their turn.

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Desperate for the essential fertilizer, farmers vowed to stay until supplies arrive, fearing crop losses of 10–15 per cent that could devastate their livelihoods. Women farmers, voicing anguish, warned that delayed urea availability might push them toward financial ruin or even suicide. The crisis has sparked protests with the Congress government accusing the BJP-led Centre of failing to deliver allocated urea. Official sources claimed that the State was promised 9.8 lakh metric tonnes (LMT) of urea for the Kharif season, with 8.3 LMT needed by August. However, only 5.32–5.62 LMT was supplied, leaving a shortfall of 2.58–2.88 LMT, they said.

The State alleges that technical issues at Ramagundam Fertilisers and Chemicals Limited (RFCL), which halted production for 78 days due to gas leaks, and global supply chain disruptions added to the crisis. On August 20, the Centre approved 50,000 metric tonnes, of which 35,000 tonnes arrived by late August, with 1,500 tonnes recently distributed in Mahabubnagar district.

Protests have erupted across the State, with farmers blocking highways in Nalgonda, Yadadri Bhongir and Jayashankar Bhupalpally. In Ramannapet, former MLA Chirumarthi Lingaiah led a rally demanding urea, while BRS leader Gandra Jyothi staged a roadblock in Chityal.

The opposition BRS leaders accused the State of mismanaging distribution and promoting black marketing, with urea bags reportedly sold at Rs 350–Rs.400 against the subsidised rate of Rs 266.50. In a disturbing incident in Mahabubabad, former councillor Domakonda Anil, supporting protesting farmers, alleged that he was assaulted by Chennur CI Devender Rao for advocating their cause.

The State government has urged the Centre to expedite imports and strengthen domestic production, while farmers continue their struggle, caught in a bitter Centre-State blame game.