No Shortage of DAP for Cooperatives and farmers: Kanwaljit

Chandigarh, Aug 19 (UNI) Punjab Cooperation Minister Kanwaljit Singh has assured that there would be no shortage of DAP fertilizer in the state for Cooperative Societies and farmers during the sowing of Wheat in the forthcoming Rabi Season.

Last year, two lakh MT tonnes of DAP was supplied to the farmers through Cooperative societies and this year arrangement for supply of 2.20 lakh MT tonnes of DAP had already been made, Mr Singh said while reviewing arrangement made by the Markfed to ensure the timely and sufficient supply of DAP to the State Cooperative Societies and farmers.

He revealed that besides through Cooperative societies, the Markfed would also provide DAP to farmers directly from its 110 branches and 19 Farmer Service Centers.

The consumption of DAP starts after October 15, while the Markfed had already sent more than 25 percent of the total requirement of the societies directly to their godowns from Railway stations as per the directions of the Cooperation Minister the remaining supply would be completed well in advance before the start of the season.

With a view to check transportation costs for fertilisers and ensuring its supply to farmers on cheap rates, Markfed had already set up two rack points at Nawanshahar and Ropar there by cutting the transportation costs for further passing it to the farmers.

The Cooperation Minister had already issued directions to Deputy Registrars, Cooperative societies and District Managers of Markfed to ensure supply of DAP directly to societies go downs from Railheads and further replicate this arrangement for the storage of Urea.

The Minister further said that during the coming Rabi Season, Markfed has been entrusted the responsibility for arranging all fertilisers and pesticides and the time-bound review of arrangements for fertilisers would continue.

He informed that fertiliser especially DAP was used in 20-25 days and keeping in view the distance of ports from Punjab and impossibility of transporting fertilizers through Railways within stipulated time, the storage of DAP in advance becomes imperative.

He urged the cooperative societies to ensure the timely storage so that Urea and DAP could be made available to the farmers on time.

UNI