Agriculture Secretary Dr. Arabinda Kumar Padhee reviews the fertilizer supply situation for Kharif crops in the state

– Directed to keep adequate fertilizer in advance to meet peak time demand
– Enforcement Squad continues to crack down on sale/black marketing of spurious fertilizers

Bhubaneswar:21/7/25:The Kharif season has already begun. The state has a Kharif crop plan of 58.50 lakh hectares for 2025. A review meeting on the fertilizer supply situation for Kharif crops in the state was held today under the chairmanship of Dr. Arabinda Kumar Padhee, Principal Secretary, Agriculture and Farmers’ Empowerment Department. The meeting held at the Krushi Bhavan Conference Hall was attended by senior officials from key departments like Cooperation, Markfed, OAIC, IFFCO. The state has taken adequate steps to make different fertilizers available for positioning at MARKFED/PACS/LAMPCS/Retail dealers before commencement of Kharif operations. Based on the records of the previous year, an adequate amount of fertilizers has to be stocked up in advance to meet the peak time demand. The peak demand for fertilizers is usually between August and September for the Kharif season. To meet this demand, the government has taken adequate steps to make various fertilizers like Urea, DAP, MOP, NPKS, SSP, etc., available to Markfed, PACS, LAMPCS, and retail dealers at the beginning of the Kharif season.

Similarly, strict instructions have been given by the government regarding tagging of other inputs like nano fertilizers, advised to refrain from any such activities. Farmers are independent in choosing the required grade of fertilizers without any compulsion. Agriculture Secretary Dr. Padhee has warned against and stopped the sale/black marketing/hoarding of spurious fertilizers. It is worth noting that the Enforcement Squad is continuing its campaign to stop black marketing, etc. Regular surprise inspections of fertilizer retailer and wholesaler points and action is being taken across the state to check any illegal activities to protect the interests of farmers. The meeting also discussed setting up new rake points to ensure timely supply of fertilizers across Odisha.