Report by OD bureau; Bhubaneswar: Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik today urged Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh to intervene over scarcity of fertilizers supply to the state. Patnaik said this in a letter to Prime Minister.

Patanaik said that, "Odisha is one among the 7 States currently implementing the scheme “Bringing Green Revolution to Eastern India (BGREI)" and we have been making a significant contribution in providing food security to the nation. This task has already assumed great significance with the introduction of the “Food Security Bill" in Parliament."

He further said that, "Adequate and balanced use of fertilizers by farmers will go a long way in increasing the productivity of food grains. But it is a matter of serious concern that instead of encouraging farmers, the recent policies of the Government of India on pricing and supply of chemical fertilizers have caused a great deal of imbalance leading to wide spread resentment. This, to my mind, would have an adverse impact on food grain production."

Patanaik added that, "I would like to point out that except for Urea, the prices of other major fertilizers like Di Ammonium Phosphate(DAP), Muriate of Potash (MOP) and Complex fertilizers have increased by more than 100% (details given in the annexure) since 1St April, 2011 and, as a result, our small and marginal farmers are unable to afford the balanced use of chemical fertilizers."

He further added that, To make the situation still worse, even Urea is not being supplied to Odisha in adequate quantities despite specific allocations by Government of India for Kharif, 2012. Though the Ministry of Chemical and Fertilizers, Government‘ of India committed to supply 4.5 lakh MT of Urea during the period Apri l September, 2012, the actual supply till 23rd August, 2012. was only 1.99 lakh MT, which is less than half "of what was promised to our State. As per the “Supply Plan" of Government of India, 71,000 MT of imported Urea is to be supplied to Odisha during August, 7111') kn LL.A. But the vessels/ships carrying imported Urea for our State are still in the high seas. Unless supplied on time, this will have serious consequences for the farmers of Odisha."

Patnaik appealed Prime Minister Dr. Singh to intervene in the matter to salvage the situation. Patnaik said, "Our minimum expectation would be to receive the full quota of Urea as per the Central allocation, by the end of September, 2012 of which at least one lakh MT may be supplied within the next one week. I would also urge upon you to seriously consider a downward revision in the prices of chemical fertilizers to safeguard the interest of the farming community."