Farmers demand adequate stock of fertilizers in Kashmir ahead of sowing season

SRINAGAR — Farmers from different areas of Kashmir have demanded adequate quantities of fertilizers, especially urea.

Farmers and fruit growers told the news agency KNO that during spring, they need a huge quantity of fertilizers but there is a shortage of urea at several places in Kashmir.

Urea is used as agricultural fertilizer throughout the country because of its high nitrogen content, which is an essential macronutrient for plant growth and development, they said.

“During the spring season, demand for chemical fertilizer urea increases significantly because it is used in agriculture for top dressing of crops,” said a grower from Shopian. At this moment urea is also used to fertilize apple and almond trees, he said.

Dealers also complained that they are 60% deficient in urea at this time and the government must take cognizance of the issue. They said that there is some issue between the company and transporters on fare and due to this stand-off, fertilizer was dumped at Udhampur and was not getting supplied to Kashmir.

Farmers, growers and dealers requested higher-ups to look into the matter at an earliest so that they won’t suffer anymore.

Director Agriculture Department, Mohammad Iqbal Choudhary said that the shortage is because of transport issues in Udhampur as the movement of empty trucks is restricted. “We are on it and have taken up the issue with IGP Traffic and it is being regulated as more and more fertilizer-laden trucks are reaching Kashmir,” he said.