The Hindu : New Delhi News : CPI (M) condemn shortage of fertilizers in Himachal

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CPI (M) condemn shortage of fertilizers in Himachal

Staff Correspondent

SHIMLA: The State Committee of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) has strongly condemned the Himachal Government for its “abject failure” to provide chemical fertilizers to farmers, especially the fruit growers, in the State.

In a statement here on Thursday, the Kisan Sabha leaders said there is an acute shortage of CAN (Carbon Ammonium Nitrate), Urea, DAP (Di-ammonium Phosphate), NPK (Nitrogen Phosphorous Potassium) and Potash.

The farmers who are to plant green peas, garlic and other rabi crops are forced now to buy spurious fertilizers from private manufacturers because of an acute shortage of manure in the government stores. The manufacturers are selling fertilizers at exorbitant rates there by enhancing the cost of production of the crops. The farmers while facing the double assault of the market are also not getting any remunerative prices for their produce, said the Left leaders.

To hit fruit growers

The biggest losers are going to be fruit growers in the snow-bound areas and temperate zone who are suppose to put timely Di-Ammonium Phosphate and Potash in their apple orchards before it becomes too cold or gets covered by the snow. The State has an apple economy worth Rs. 2,000 crore per year and its biggest cash earner crop, they said.

If fertilizers are not provided on time, the Kisan Sabha would launch a series of protest demonstrations and rallies at block level in the State, they warned.

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