Fri Dec 19 12:00:23 UTC 2025: Summary:

Alappuzha district in Kerala, India, is facing a severe shortage of fertilizers, especially urea, potash, and phosphate, during the vital puncha crop season. This shortage is forcing farmers to skip cultivation, potentially impacting agricultural productivity and causing financial losses. The price of fertilizers has also increased, adding to the burden. While the Union government was slated to provide 43,000 tonnes of urea to Kerala, it has only supplied 20,000 tonnes, leading to criticisms that the central government’s promotion of nano fertilizers is exacerbating the problem. A Member of Parliament, Kodikunnil Suresh, has raised the issue in the Lok Sabha, urging the Union government to urgently supply the required fertilizers to Kerala to prevent further damage to the agricultural sector.

News Article:

Kerala Farmers Face Crisis as Fertilizer Shortage Threatens Harvests

Alappuzha, Kerala, December 19, 2025 – A critical shortage of essential fertilizers, including urea, potash, and phosphate, is gripping Alappuzha district in Kerala, threatening the puncha crop season, a vital period for paddy cultivation. Farmers are struggling to obtain sufficient quantities of fertilizers, leading to concerns about decreased productivity and potential financial ruin.

“It is high time the government addressed the issue, as there are serious concerns that productivity will be affected. Farmers are staring at huge losses,” said Siji Chacko, secretary, Aikya Kuttanad Padasekhara Ekopana Samithi.

The shortage has also driven up prices, with urea costing ₹300 for a 45-kg sack and potash rising to ₹1,800 per bag. While the Union government pledged to supply 43,000 tonnes of urea to Kerala between October and December, the state has only received about 20,000 tonnes. State officials and farmers speculate that the central government’s push for nano fertilizers has contributed to the scarcity.

Kodikunnil Suresh, a Member of Parliament, recently raised the issue in the Lok Sabha, emphasizing that the shortage is impacting various crops, including paddy, coconut, arecanut, rubber, cocoa, cardamom, and pineapple. He criticized the central government for failing to ensure timely supply despite repeated requests from the state. Suresh urged the Union government to act swiftly and provide the necessary fertilizers to Kerala to protect farmers’ livelihoods. The situation highlights a growing concern for the agricultural sector in Kerala, with farmers facing a grim future if the fertilizer shortage is not addressed immediately.

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