Farmers Movement Archive

Punjab farmers worried as fertiliser rates set to be hiked

Bathinda: Farmers in Punjab are worried about possible increase in prices of fertilisers after new rates, indicating hike of up to 45% was noticed printed on bags of fertilisers being moved from plants. Also, a letter sent by Indian Farmers Fertiliser Cooperative (Iffco) marketing director to state marketing managers on April 7 on revision in MRP of complex fertilisers from April 1 has deepened suspicions of farmers in Punjab. However, Iffco in a quick rebuttal aimed at ending apprehensions of farmers, said on Thursday it will sell 11.26 LT of complex fertiliser at old rates only “The material with new rates is not for sale to farmers. It has been sent from plants to fields for storage purpose. The selling price of the same might come down while the old stock is finished. Printing of MRP on bags is mandatory in order to move the inventory from the plants. Tentative DAP/NPK cost printed on bags now moved from plants in April 2021 is based on the current raw material prices to be applicable on fresh stocks only,” Iffco CEO and managing director U S Awasthi said in a series of tweets on Thursday. “Aggressive negotiations with international raw material suppliers for price reduction are yet inconclusive. We are trying our best to get the prices reduced for the benefit of farmers,” he added. However, farmers are worried that they will have to pay a steep increase in price of the new stock of fertilisers. BKU (Ekta Ugrahan) general secretary Sukhdev Singh Kokri said though the Iffco has announced it will sell fertilisers on old rates, how long will it continue to do so. When the old stock expires, the prices will be hiked, he added. BKU (Dakonda) general secretary Jagmohan Singh said the prices of fertilisers are set to increase as the Centre wanted to punish farmers for struggle against farm laws. According to the details, MRP of diammonium phosphate and nitrogen phosphorous potassium had been revised. From Rs 24,000 per MT and Rs 1,200 per bag of 50 kg, the price of DAP would be Rs 38,000 per MT and Rs 19,00 per bag 50 kg from April 1. Likewise, from Rs 23,500 MT and Rs 1,175 per bag of NPK (10:26:26), the rates would be increased to Rs 35,000 MT and Rs 1,775 per 50 kg. The rates of NPK (12:32:16) were revised from Rs 23,700 MT and Rs 1,185 per 50 kg to Rs 36,000 MT and Rs 1,800 per 50 kg and the rates of NPK (20:20:0:13) from Rs 18,500 MT and Rs 925 per 50 kg to Rs 27,000 MT and Rs 1,350 per 50 kg.

The Times of India

2021-04-09

Chandigarh