Farmers in Kalaburagi hit streets Tuesday, demanding more DAP fertilizer as kharif sowing nears. The Karnataka Prantha Raitha Sangha (KPRS) organized protest at Taluk Agriculture Produce Co-operative Marketing Society office. Farmers accused traders of creating fake shortage to jack up prices.
During protest,KPRS district head Sharanbasappa Mamshetty told crowd the fertilizer crisis isn't natural. Claimed traders are deliberately holding back DAP,making farmers wait for scraps. “Farmers are running from shop to shop with Aadhaar cards,standing in queues for two days and yet,only getting two bags of DAP. This is harassment,” he said. Mamshetty called for state government to step in fast to save sowing season .
He warned without quick action,kharif crop could take big hit, pushing farmers deeper into debt. “State government can't just watch while traders rob farmers. Must crack down on hoarders and black marketers,” he added.
Protest also took aim at Union government's move to scrap fertilizer subsidies,price controls,which Mamshetty said led to big price hikes. DAP cost jumped from ₹1,350 to ₹1,490,other fertilizers also spiked. “Every season,farmers are being bled dry,” he lamented .
Mamshetty pointed to global issues,like conflict in West Asia,as reasons for rising fertilizer prices . But slammed Union government for not shielding farmers from these shocks . “This is a betrayal of farming community,” he said,demanding subsidies on complex fertilizers be brought back immediately.
KPRS condemned fertilizer traders nationwide,accusing them of exploiting farmers,deepening agricultural crisis. As sowing starts,many farmers report severe shortages,protesting against local agents for hoarding,black market sales.
“Agriculture is already in deep distress. With soaring input costs and mounting debt, each farmer family is facing an enormous financial burden,” said Sharanappa Pujari,another KPRS leader. He urged central,state governments to reverse harmful policies,stressing their duty to ensure food security,farmers' welfare.
Several other farmer leaders,like Revanasiddappa Patil,Davu Birdar,Bhimsha Badadal,and Siddu S.L.,joined protest,highlighting urgent need for government action on ongoing agricultural crisis .
