CHENNAI: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay on Tuesday urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to take immediate steps to address the shortage of fertilisers in the state ahead of the upcoming Kharif cultivation season.
In a letter to the Prime Minister, Vijay highlighted the significant gap between the allocated and actual supply of key fertilisers during April and May. He warned that the shortage could adversely affect agricultural activities as the southwest monsoon is expected to arrive earlier than usual.
Focus Keyphrase: Tamil Nadu Fertiliser Supply
The Chief Minister requested the Centre to direct the concerned authorities to ensure uninterrupted availability of fertilisers required for the remainder of the Kharif season. Tamil Nadu has projected a requirement of 3.83 lakh metric tonnes (MT) of urea, 1.06 lakh MT of Diammonium Phosphate (DAP), and 0.83 lakh MT of Muriate of Potash (MOP).
According to the state government, Tamil Nadu recorded a deficit of 39,001 MT of urea, 28,607 MT of DAP, and 24,235 MT of MOP over the past two months compared to the approved supply plan.
Vijay noted that the India Meteorological Department has forecast the onset of the southwest monsoon during the third week of May, which is likely to increase demand for fertilisers, particularly urea and DAP, across farming regions.
He stressed that maintaining adequate fertiliser stocks is crucial to safeguard crop production and food security during the agricultural season. The Tamil Nadu government has planned cultivation across nearly 25 lakh hectares during Kharif, accounting for around 40 per cent of the state’s Gross Cropped Area.
The Chief Minister said timely intervention by the Centre would help farmers access essential agricultural inputs without disruption and support smooth cultivation activities during the monsoon season.