Fertiliser crisis: Ruckus in House, 23 Oppn MLAs suspended & reinstated
Agriculture minister Ramvichar Netam responded to the concerns, after which Speaker Dr Raman Singh disallowed the motion. This led to protests and slogan-shouting by Congress MLAs in the well, prompting a brief adjournment of the House. Subsequently, 23 MLAs were suspended for entering the well, but were later reinstated.
Presenting the adjournment notice, Dr Charandas Mahant said that Chhattisgarh has 40.10 lakh farmers, including 80% small and marginal farmers.
The state primarily cultivates Kharif paddy. Unfortunately, farmers are currently facing a severe shortage of Diammonium Phosphate (DAP) fertiliser.
He alleged that the state govt has failed to ensure an adequate supply of fertilisers and has advised farmers to use alternative chemical options, which has increased cultivation costs. Dr Mahant claimed that an artificial scarcity of fertilisers has persisted in the state for the past two years, attributing it to the government's lack of will and indifferent attitude towards farmers.
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For Kharif 2025, the government set a supply target of 3.10 Metric tonnes, which was 30,000 tonnes less than the target for Kharif 2024.
So far, only 1.1 lakh tonnes of DAP have been supplied. Similarly, while 7.12 lakh tonnes of urea were to be supplied this Kharif season, only 3.59 lakh tonnes have been distributed.
The estimated demand for paddy seeds was 4,32,159 quintals, while cooperative societies in Chhattisgarh had only 3,83,169 quintals in storage, Mahant informed the Assembly.
He further said that despite the presence of a double-engine government, farmers are being forced to abandon farming and protest on roads at the state, district, and block levels due to the fertiliser crisis. Farmers allege that government cooperative societies lack fertilisers, while black marketing is rampant in the open market, compelling them to purchase DAP at inflated prices.
He added that the alternative fertilisers advised due to the DAP shortage in primary cooperative societies are more expensive and of inferior quality compared to last year, imposing a double burden on farmers.
Dr Mahant emphasized that this is not the first time the state has faced a fertiliser shortage, noting similar conditions prevailed last year as well. He demanded an immediate discussion on the issue through an adjournment motion to address farmers' distress.
Patan MLA and former chief minister Bhupesh Baghel supported the motion, adding that farmers in Chhattisgarh are suffering due to the ongoing fertiliser crisis.
In response, Agriculture minister Ramvichar Netam said that the govt is raising awareness among farmers about the balanced use of fertilisers and is providing training on alternatives.
He acknowledged that the supply of phosphatic fertilisers was affected, prompting early alternative arrangements. Nano fertilisers have been recommended and stored in large quantities, he added. The minister cited global factors as the reason for the disrupted supply of chemical fertilisers. He said fertiliser stocks, including potash and other types, have exceeded targets, and sowing has been completed in over 28 lakh hectares, surpassing previous records.
Following the minister's statement, speaker Dr Raman Singh disallowed the opposition's motion.
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