Bhubaneswar, April 17: Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Friday reviewed fertilizer availability and distribution for the upcoming Kharif season at Lok Seva Bhawan, directing officials to ensure adequate supply, fair pricing, and efficient last-mile delivery to farmers amid concerns over global supply disruptions.
Amid concerns over global supply disruptions linked to the ongoing conflict in West Asia, the Chief Minister interacted with District Collectors through video conferencing.
He instructed officials to ensure that fertilizers are supplied in adequate quantities, on time, and at fair prices, particularly benefiting small and marginal farmers.
Agriculture Secretary Sachin Ramchandra Jadhav informed that Odisha has been allocated 1.14 million metric tonnes of fertilizers by the Central Government for the current year. While the estimated requirement for April stands at 79,630 metric tonnes, the state already has a stock of 361,490 metric tonnes as of April 15. The distribution network includes 1,029 wholesale dealers and 12,093 retail dealers, with uninterrupted supplies from fertilizer companies.
Officials also reported that inspections at dealer points led to the cancellation of six licenses due to irregularities. The rollout of the Integrated Fertilizer Management System (IFMS) by the Union Ministry of Fertilizers is helping authorities monitor fertilizer availability and allocation across districts in real time.
Reviewing district-wise stock levels, Majhi noted that Odisha currently holds 1.77 lakh metric tonnes of urea and more than 60,000 metric tonnes of DAP. However, he warned against complacency and reiterated that ensuring access at the grassroots level remains a priority.
The Chief Minister directed strict measures against black marketing and hoarding, including surprise inspections, filing of FIRs, and cancellation of licenses of offenders. He also called for tighter monitoring at interstate border check posts to prevent diversion of fertilizers, with coordinated efforts by police and agriculture officials.
Expressing concern over the misuse of subsidized urea for industrial purposes, Majhi asked district-level task forces to take corrective action. He further instructed that Vigilance Committees be formed in all Gram Panchayats within a few days to strengthen local monitoring.
On the digital front, he emphasized speeding up the creation of Digital Farmer IDs. So far, 15 lakh farmers have been covered out of a total of 44 lakh. He said the initiative would enhance transparency and ensure that benefits reach the intended beneficiaries.
Additionally, the Chief Minister called for awareness drives to promote balanced fertilizer usage and encouraged farmers to adopt alternatives such as organic manure and Nano Urea.
Deputy Chief Minister and Agriculture Minister Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo stressed the need to follow advisories issued by the Centre, while Cooperation Minister Pradeep Bal Samant highlighted the importance of strengthening the distribution system further.
Chief Secretary Anu Garg, along with senior officials from the Agriculture and Cooperation Departments and district administrators, also attended the meeting.
