Uninterrupted Availability of Fertilizers and Seeds for Farmers, Strict Action Against Black Marketing

Effective Arrangement by Chhattisgarh Government amidst Limited National Availability of DAP in Kharif Season 2026 Continuous Monitoring to Ensure Timely Availability of Fertilizers to Farmers Raipur, Despite the limited national availability of DAP during the Kharif season 2026, the Chhattisgarh government, under the leadership of Chief Minister Mr. Vishnu Deo Sai, is working with full commitment to protect the interests of farmers. The Chief Minister has given clear instructions that every farmer in the state should get fertilizers and seeds on time, no farmer should face unnecessary difficulties, and strict action should be ensured against those involved in the black marketing of fertilizers or charging more than the fixed price. Accordingly, the agriculture department is continuously monitoring the availability, distribution, and price control of fertilizers across the state. Officials from the agriculture department stated that the target for DAP for the Kharif season 2026 has been set at 3 lakh metric tons. As of July 21, 2026, 1 lakh 84 thousand 413 metric tons of DAP has been stored in the state. Against this stock, 1 lakh 26 thousand 360 metric tons have been distributed to farmers. Even after this, 58 thousand 054 metric tons of DAP is still available in societies and warehouses. It is noteworthy that during the same period in Kharif 2025, 37 thousand 535 metric tons of DAP remained. Agriculture department officials mentioned that in accordance with the recommendations of agricultural scientists, farmers are being encouraged to use NPK and other balanced fertilizers along with DAP, so that the nutritional needs of the crops can be met and the over-reliance on DAP can be reduced. About 70 to 80 percent of DAP and 30 to 40 percent of NPK are imported from abroad. Due to global conditions and disruptions in international market supply, the availability and prices of DAP and NPK have been affected. For this reason, fertilizer supplying companies have increased the Maximum Retail Price (MRP) of NPK in accordance with the prevailing policy of the Government of India and market conditions. The agriculture department has clarified that fixing the prices of fertilizers is not within the jurisdiction of the state government. Nevertheless, the agriculture department is continuously conducting inspections to ensure that farmers are not overcharged beyond the fixed MRP. Strict action is being taken under the Fertilizer Control Order, 1985, and the Essential Commodities Act, 1955, against those involved in overcharging, black marketing, and creating artificial scarcity. Officials reported that so far, 4,878 fertilizer sale centers have been inspected in the state. During the action, 625 notices were issued, sales were restricted at 183 centers, and fertilizers were seized from 98 centers. Furthermore, licenses of 97 centers were suspended and licenses of 11 sale centers were canceled. Additionally, 56 cases have been presented in court, and FIRs have been registered in 7 cases. Meanwhile, for areas where sowing has been affected by heavy rainfall or farmers have to re-sow (double sowing), the district administration and agriculture department are continuously monitoring the situation. Actions are being taken to provide technical guidance, seeds, and fertilizers to affected farmers, and necessary assistance as per government provisions. Under the leadership of Chief Minister Mr. Vishnu Deo Sai and guidance of Agriculture Minister Mr. Ramvichar Netam, the state government is working with the highest priority on the interests of farmers. The department is effectively monitoring the availability of fertilizers, distribution system, price control, and black marketing, so that every eligible farmer can receive the necessary agricultural inputs on time. The state government has appealed to farmers to purchase fertilizers only from authorized dealers and cooperative societies at the fixed prices. If information about overcharging, black marketing, or any other irregularity is received anywhere, they should immediately inform the agriculture department or the district administration, so that prompt and effective action can be ensured against the culprits.