Bengaluru– Former Karnataka Chief Minister and BJP leader Basavaraj Bommai has announced that Union Chemicals and Fertilisers Minister J P Nadda has promised to supply 1.35 lakh metric tonnes of urea to Karnataka within 10 to 15 days, addressing the ongoing fertiliser shortage in the state.
Bommai, who is also the Haveri MP, said he recently met with Nadda, who immediately consulted officials and assured that fertiliser companies such as Coromandel and Madras Fertilisers would begin dispatches without delay. “Today alone, 16,000 metric tonnes are being sent. Daily supply will continue at 15,000–20,000 metric tonnes,” Bommai added.
The former CM blamed the state agriculture department for failing to anticipate the surge in demand, driven by early and plentiful monsoon rains. He noted a 1.5% rise in maize cultivation this year and said the rains triggered early demand for urea—starting in June instead of the usual July.
Bommai accused the state of poor last-mile distribution despite having stock. He alleged corruption in the system, saying small farmers are forced to queue while affluent ones buy urea at inflated prices due to black marketing and hoarding.
Karnataka’s total Kharif fertiliser requirement is 11.17 lakh metric tonnes. By July-end, 6.25 lakh should have been distributed, but only 5.35 lakh have reached farmers, he claimed. He called on the state to crack down on link-sales and mismanagement.