The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh / Hyderabad News : RR district short of 3,000 tonnes of fertilizer

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Thursday, Jun 19, 2008
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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

RR district short of 3,000 tonnes of fertilizer

Total demand between April and June was 10,900 tonnes
Shortage attributed to global scenario, logistical glitches

HYDERABAD: The Ranga Reddy district administration on Wednesday disclosed that there was a short supply of nearly 3,000 tonnes of DAP fertilizer for June. Efforts were on to resume the supply at all District Cooperative Marketing Society (DCMS) outlets after three days, authorities assured District Review Committee (DRC) meeting.

According to district agriculture officers, who had to face a barrage of questions on fertilizer shortage from MLCs and MLAs, the total demand in the district between April and June 2008 was 10,900 tonnes of which 7,900 tonnes had been met.

Authorities clarified that there would be no supply of fertilizer between June 19 and 21 and date-wise distribution of DAP fertilizer in the mandals would be given to panchayat secretaries. “We will employ public address system in mandals to drive home this message,” Collector M. Dana Kishore said.

Logistic problems

“There is a global shortage of phosphoric acid, the main input to manufacture DAP fertilizer. There are logistical problems also. Farmers are panicking under the impression that they will not get their quota of supplies. However, in three days, nearly 3,000 tonnes of the fertilizer would be procured,” DRC chairman and Minister for Rural Development G. Chinna Reddy informed the meeting.

“We would be able to supply the fertilizer after three days. We are facing logistic problems like transportation,” Mr. Dana Kishore reiterated.

Poser to officials

Earlier, MLCs and MLAs questioned the preparedness of authorities in meeting the fertilizer demand with the onset of monsoons and kharif season.

“On Wednesday, DCMS counters at Vikarabad, Parigi and Doma mandals were shut down. Why the authorities could not pre-empt this shortage?” MLC Nageswara Rao asked.

For this, authorities blamed the global scenario and logistic glitches. “We will meet the demand of DAP between June and September, when demand is huge. We request everyone to cooperate and show some patience on this issue. The demand will be met,” Mr. Chinna Reddy said.

Several MLAs, including P. Vishnuvardhan Reddy from Khairatabad, Harishwar Reddy (Parigi), Sabita Indira Reddy (Chevella), DRC vice-chairperson P. Sunitha Mahender Reddy, were among those present.

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