Subsidised fertiliser sales halted across Madhya Pradesh, farmers fear supply crisis

The government of Madhya Pradesh has halted the sale of subsidised fertilisers across the state until further notice, causing concern among farmers who fear a potential supply crisis. The decision comes only two weeks after a farmers' agitation over moong procurement and fertiliser distribution led to the suspension of the state's newly introduced e-token system.

The Department of Farmers Welfare and Agriculture Development has ordered a statewide stock reconciliation exercise, requiring all sales of subsidised fertilisers to cease from 7 pm on August 14. The order does not specify the size of the discrepancy between digital and physical stocks or when sales will resume. The government aims to verify if the quantity recorded in its digital system matches the actual stock with dealers and distribution agencies.

This move follows a major farmers' protest in which nearly 2,000 farmers marched to Bhopal demanding 100 percent procurement of their moong crop at the Minimum Support Price. The government eventually agreed to increase the procurement share for moong from 25 percent to 60 percent, extend the procurement deadline, and defer the slot-booking deadline.

However, the latest order has left farmers vulnerable, especially those who have already depleted their fertilizer stocks.