Jeypore,28th Aug 2025: Over the issue of fertilizer shortage, the Krushak Kalyan Manch (Farmers’ Welfare Forum) staged a gherao of the Chief District Agriculture Officer’s (CDAO) office.
At present, there is an acute shortage of fertilizers in the district. Even though agricultural activities for the kharif season began in August, not a single bag of fertilizer has yet reached the fields. Farmers are worried about how their crops will survive. The Farmers’ Welfare Forum alleged that due to the lack of sincerity and negligence of the departmental officials, farmers are being deprived of fertilizer supply. Proper survey has not been conducted, and as per farmers’ accounts, fertilizers are not arriving on time.
In Koraput district, nearly 80 percent of people depend on farming. If fertilizers are not provided at the right time, farmers are left wondering how they will cultivate their crops and feed their families.
In recent days, fake potash fertilizer was found being sold in Kotpad — with colored soil and sand coming out of the packets instead of fertilizer. Some traders, taking advantage of the shortage, are selling fertilizers at inflated prices.
Over this crisis, the Farmers’ Welfare Forum gheraoed the CDAO’s office. After the protest, Chief District Agriculture Officer Gokul Chandra Pradhan received their memorandum of demands. The ruling BJD supported the gherao.
Politics around the fertilizer crisis has intensified. Some BJP leaders expressed their displeasure and said that certain opposition leaders are misleading the farmers. Senior BJP leader Gautam Samantaray assured that the BJP government has always stood with farmers and fertilizers will arrive on time.