Kurnool: District collector Dr A. Siri on Saturday said there was no shortage of urea in Kurnool district and assured that adequate stocks were available to meet farmers’ requirements during the ongoing kharif season.
Addressing a press conference at the collectorate, she said that of the 45,599 metric tonnes of urea allocated for the season, around 17,900 metric tonnes, nearly 39 per cent, had already been utilised.
“So far, around 70,000 farmers in the district have purchased and used urea. With stocks in transit, we currently have 28,540 metric tonnes available. There is no need for farmers to panic,” she said.
The collector said small and marginal farmers were being supplied their full requirement in the first phase, while larger farmers were receiving fertilisers in three instalments based on demand. She added that officials were maintaining strict vigilance to prevent irregularities in distribution.
Dr Siri said inspections had been conducted at 537 fertiliser outlets. As part of the enforcement drive, 96 show-cause notices were issued, licences of 20 dealers were suspended, and cases were registered against 11 dealers under the Essential Commodities Act.
She said fertiliser stocks worth `26 lakh had been seized, while stocks valued at `85 lakh had been detained during the inspections.
The collector said the agriculture department was promoting intercropping along with the cultivation of main crops and encouraging farmers to adopt pre-monsoon dry sowing (PMDS). Against a target of 92,000 acres, cultivation had already been taken up in 83,000 acres under the programme, she added.
On drinking water supply, Dr Siri said the district administration had requested the release of 2 tmc ft of water from the Tungabhadra dam and that officials had assured supply within a week.
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