Alleged Artificial Shortage and Black Marketing of DAP and Urea Fertilizers in Balochistan; Economic Exploitation of Farmers Must Be Stopped: Pashtunkhwa NAP

Quetta (Daily Qudrat Quetta) — Pashtunkhwa National Awami Party Provincial President Nasrullah Khan Zira and other provincial leaders have expressed severe concern over the unavailability of DAP and urea fertilizers in the province, the alleged artificial shortage, and their sale at high prices in the black market, terming it tantamount to the economic exploitation of landowners and farmers.

In a joint statement, the leaders said that difficulties in the availability of fertilizers over the past two months have significantly increased the production costs of landowners and farmers. According to them, the unavailability of fertilizer at the critical stage of crop growth poses a risk of affecting the yield of orchards, vegetables, wheat, rice, cotton, and other crops.

They said that agriculture is the primary source of employment and economic survival for millions of families in the province, but the shortage of fertilizers and their sale at high prices have added to the worries of farmers already grappling with economic difficulties. If the problem is not resolved immediately, its effects could also impact agricultural production, food security, and the overall economy.

Criticizing the provincial government, the leaders said that it is the government’s responsibility to resolve the problems of the agricultural sector, prevent the artificial shortage and black marketing of fertilizers, and take effective measures to provide quality fertilizer to farmers at reasonable rates.

In the statement, the provincial and federal governments were demanded to ensure the uninterrupted supply of DAP and urea fertilizers in all agricultural areas of the province, take action against elements involved in hoarding and black marketing, and establish an effective monitoring system to enforce official rates.