Despite the efforts by the government agencies to ensure timely supply of farm inputs to ryots, shortage of fertilizers and pesticides is looming large on farmers in parts of West Godavari district this kharif, thanks to unmanned check-posts along the Telangana border through which the fertilizers allotted to the district are being transported to the other side.
Rough estimates suggest that a quantum of 2 lakh tons of fertilizers is required during the current season in the district. It is learnt that movement of fertilizers and pesticides from the district to Aswaraopet, Sattupalli and Dhammapet in the Khammam district of Telangana is a common practice. The dealers from Telangana reportedly lift stocks from their counterparts here by paying Rs. 100 more than the actual price.
Barring Jeelugumilli mandals, where a check-post was set up soon after the State division, entry points at Allipalli, Sitanagaram, Gurubhatlagudem and Medisettivaripalem still remain unmanned.
A good number of farmers from the district are taking up banana and ground nut cultivation on leased lands in Sattupalli, Aswaraopet and Dhammapet mandals in view of the good soil fertility and lower lease rates there. “If tenant farmers from here will take away fertilizers and pesticides for use in their lands in Telangana, there will be obviously a shortage locally,” says S. Janakivenkata Rammohan Rao, Assistant Director, Agriculture department.
The department recently held a meeting with dealers from the three mandals on measures to be initiated against illicit inter-State movement of fertilizers and pesticides. It was proposed to post Agriculture Officers at all unmanned entry points and initiate criminal action against erring dealers, Mr. Rao said.
He urged the ryots from the district undertaking cultivation in Telangana to procure manures, pesticides and fertilizers from there itself.
