Punjab announces new fertilizer policy

Chandigarh, July 31 (UNI) In a major review of fertilizer distribution policy by Markfed, ensuring adequate supply to the farmers for the rabi season and to reduce the cost being paid by the farmers of the state, Punjab Cooperation Minister Capt Kanwaljit Singh today announced a new policy aimed at benefitting the farmers and cooperative societies.

The Minister stressed on the need to ensure quick and adequate supply of DAP to Primary Agriculture Cooperative Societies (PACS) from the rail heads, with an objective to reduce intermediary cost, including cost of transportation to the warehouses etc.

The savings due to reduction in the intermediary cost, including cut in transportation cost by improving efficiency of operation would be shared by the PACS and the farmers.

He also directed the concerened authorities to ensure a close liasion between District Managers of Markfed with the Deputy Registrars, Cooperative Societies so that the DAP should be immediately lifted by the PACS from the rail heads without any wastage of time.

He said Markfed had been declared as Nodal Agency for importing 3.5 lakh MTs of DAP with a view to ensure adequate supply of the feritilzer to the members of PACS and also to non-members through other agencies by the next rabi season.

He made these announcements while reviewing the arrangements for supply of DAP, NPK and Urea for the rabi season. The Minister informed that the Cooperative Societies in the state had given an indent of 2,42,365 MTs of DAP, 29,980 MTs of NPK and 4,65,230 MTs of urea for the rabi season.

He categorically said no society should be deprived of the supply of DAP as per its indent so that the farmer members of the PACS get the DAP at the right time for sowing of wheat/potatoes.

He exhorted the officers to put in their best efforts to ensure an efficient supply chain.

The Minister also reviewed the supply of agricultural inputs especially DAP, Urea and NPK during kharif season this year.

It may be mentioned here that the Co-operative Societies in the state had distributed 1,16,625 MTs of DAP against an indent of 1,11,706 MTs, 13,493 MTs of NPK against an indent of 13,488 MTs and 4,61,736 MTs of urea aginst an indent of 4,92,000 MTs.

Achievement in case of supply of DAP and NPK is more than the target, whereas supply of urea is continuing, although 91.13 per cent of the target had already been achieved.

Prominent amongst others who were present in the meeting included Ms Kusumjit Sidhu, Financial Commissioner Cooperation, Mr Viswajit Khanna, Registrar Cooperative Societies, Mr G S Grewal MD, Markfed and Mr K S Palne, MD Punjab State Cooperative Bank.

UNI