Fertiliser price hike deepens concerns among farmers amid rising cultivation costs
Chennai, June 1
Farmers across Tamil Nadu have expressed growing concern over the recent increase in fertiliser prices, warning that the move could significantly raise cultivation expenses at a time when agricultural production costs are already under severe pressure.
The latest price revision has added to the challenges faced by the farming community, which is also grappling with uncertainty over financial support measures and fluctuating returns from agricultural produce.
Agricultural organisations have pointed out that the cost of cultivation has been steadily increasing due to rising prices of seeds, labour, irrigation, machinery, and other essential farm inputs.
According to estimates based on prevailing financing norms, farmers are already required to spend thousands of rupees per acre to cultivate major crops. The latest increase in fertiliser prices is likely to further strain their finances and reduce profit margins.
Farmers noted that fertilisers such as NPK mixtures, complex fertilisers, potash, sulphates and phosphatic nutrients are widely used across a variety of crops, including paddy, sugarcane, vegetables and horticultural produce.
Any increase in the cost of these essential inputs directly affects overall production expenditure and can have a significant impact on farm incomes. Recent revisions have seen the price of NPK fertiliser rise sharply, while rates of complex fertilisers and potash have also registered substantial increases.
Farmer groups fear that the cumulative impact of these hikes could lead to a steep escalation in cultivation costs during the current agricultural season.
Agricultural representatives have warned that the sudden increase in input prices has created uncertainty among cultivators regarding their crop plans. Many farmers are reportedly reassessing the extent of cultivation they can undertake, particularly those dependent on borrowed capital or operating on small landholdings.
The farming community has urged both the state and Central governments to intervene and take measures to stabilise fertiliser prices.
They argue that affordable access to key agricultural inputs is essential for sustaining farm productivity and ensuring food security.
With cultivation expenses continuing to rise and market returns remaining uncertain, farmers believe that immediate policy support is necessary to prevent further financial stress in the agricultural sector. They maintain that controlling input costs will be crucial to safeguarding livelihoods and encouraging continued investment in farming activities across the state.
— IANS
Reader Comments
My uncle is a sugarcane farmer in Villupuram. He said last year he barely broke even. Now with fertiliser prices going up again, he's thinking of switching to something less input-intensive. But what else can you grow? 😔 This is a crisis for small farmers and the government seems tone-deaf.
People in cities have no idea - they see cheap vegetables in markets but don't realise farmers are getting squeezed from all sides. Input costs up, market prices volatile, and now this. I hope the Centre provides some subsidy support soon, otherwise many will stop farming altogether.
I'm a small farmer in Cuddalore and I can tell you, this is just one more nail in the coffin. We also have to deal with erratic rains and pest attacks. The government keeps talking about doubling farmer incomes, but what about controlling input costs first? Fair enough criticism - this is sheer neglect of agriculture sector.
As someone from the city, this article opened my eyes. We often forget where our food comes from. The government should ensure farmers get fair prices and affordable inputs otherwise food security itself will be threatened. My heart goes out to the farming community in TN during this tough period. 🙏
This is exactly what happens when you let global commodity prices dictate domestic policy. India should have our own fertiliser production capacity to buffer against such shocks. The push for self-reliance in agriculture inputs is needed now more than ever. Otherwise, it's the small farmer who suffers the most. 💔
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