Odisha Farmers Face Fertilizer Crisis as Naveen Patnaik Urges Centre to Intervene

Opposition leader Naveen Patnaik has raised alarm over a deepening fertiliser crisis in Odisha, writing to Union Chemicals and Fertilisers Minister J.P. Nadda to demand urgent action.

Patnaik cited widespread shortages of urea, black marketing, and adulteration, which have left farmers across the state struggling to access essential agricultural inputs.

Despite official claims of 7.94 lakh tonnes of fertiliser in stock, ground reports suggest that supplies are either unavailable or being sold at inflated prices.

Allegations have surfaced against state agency Markfed for diverting subsidised fertiliser to private dealers, exacerbating the crisis—especially in tribal districts where farmers have taken to the streets in protest.

Patnaik warned that the ongoing kharif season could be severely disrupted, threatening the livelihoods of lakhs of farmers.

He emphasised Odisha’s transformation from a rice-deficient state to a key contributor to India’s Public Distribution System (PDS), and expressed concern that mismanagement and corruption could reverse these gains.

Adding to the frustration is the delay in operationalising the Talcher fertiliser plant, whose foundation was laid in 2018 with a three-year completion target. Seven years later, the project remains stalled.

Patnaik urged the Centre to ensure immediate and adequate supply of urea to Odisha, warning that failure to act could have devastating consequences for agricultural output and rural stability.