Farmers across Telangana are struggling with severe urea shortages, standing for hours in long queues at cooperative societies. In Karimnagar’s Chigurumamidi mandal, some even marked their spots with footwear.
At Narketpally PACS, each farmer received just one bag, while large landholders were limited to five. A video of a three-year-old boy waiting with his father’s passbook at Kothapalli PACS went viral, highlighting farmers’ desperation.
Officials blame panic buying fueled by rumours and political statements. Nalgonda is set to receive 70,000 MT of urea by September but has only received 45,500 MT so far, with rains delaying shipments further.
Farmers in Mahabubnagar, Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy’s home district, face similar shortages. Token distribution is selective, and traders are reportedly exploiting the situation with high prices and forced purchases of other goods.
Banda Srisailam of the Nalgonda District Farmers’ Union accused the Centre of deliberately limiting urea supplies to opposition-ruled states to promote nano urea products linked to a BJP MP.
Farmers warn that with critical sowing underway, long waits for fertiliser are hampering essential farming activities.