Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan assured that the government will maintain stable fertilizer prices for farmers amidst global price hikes. Chouhan announced the implementation of a ‘Farmer ID’ system to enhance transparency in fertilizer distribution and prevent misuse.
He emphasized that despite the surge in international raw material costs, the government has decided to keep urea priced at Rs 266 per bag and DAP at Rs 1,350 to support farmers. The Union Cabinet has sanctioned an additional Rs 41,000 crore to sustain subsidies and shield farmers from financial burdens due to global price fluctuations.
Chouhan expressed concerns about the diversion of subsidized fertilizers for non-agricultural purposes and highlighted the development of a ‘Farmer ID’ system to address this issue. This system will link farmers’ landholdings, crop information, and family details to a unique ID, enabling precise fertilizer allocation based on actual requirements.
The Minister underscored the significance of the ‘Farmer ID’ system in ensuring fair distribution to genuine farmers while curbing malpractices like hoarding and black marketing. With over 92.9 million Farmer IDs already issued, the government aims to extend coverage to approximately 130 million farmers nationwide.
Chouhan also discussed initiatives to assist sharecroppers and tenant farmers, mentioning a successful pilot program in Madhya Pradesh and Haryana. He highlighted plans to expand this model nationwide, enabling all cultivators to access fertilizers with proper authorization from landowners.
Touching on global concerns, Chouhan stated that the government is closely monitoring geopolitical tensions’ impact on fertilizer supply and agricultural exports. He emphasized the government’s commitment to safeguarding farmers’ interests by ensuring fair prices, adequate inputs, and minimal disruption from global crises.
