Bengaluru: Karnataka Agriculture Minister N Chaluvarayaswamy on Wednesday alleged that the Central government had reduced fertilizer supplies to the state by 2.75 lakh metric tonnes (MT) between April and August this year, causing shortages for farmers during a crucial cultivation period.
Speaking during a debate in the Assembly, Chaluvarayaswamy said Karnataka’s annual allocation was 11.17 lakh MT, with 5.55 lakh MT delivered by April along with an additional 20,000 MT. However, subsequent allocations were cut — 10,000 MT in May, 79,000 MT in June, and 58,000 MT in July.
He claimed the Centre had instructed states to use less Diammonium Phosphate (DAP) and urea due to factors such as halted imports from Iran and China, reduced domestic production, and the ongoing war affecting supply chains.
“Till August, the Centre supplied 2.75 lakh MT less fertilizer this year. You can call the Union Fertilizer Minister J P Nadda tomorrow and verify. If my statement is false, I am ready to face any punishment you decide,” Chaluvarayaswamy asserted.
The minister added that the state government was distributing fertilizer “in a controlled manner” to manage the shortage.
The opposition BJP, which raised the issue citing an acute urea shortage, accused the Congress-led government of “turning a blind eye” to farmers’ distress. Heated arguments led to a 30-minute adjournment, after which BJP members staged a walkout.
