TEAM HERALD
bureau@herald-goa.com
PONDA: An acute shortage of fertilizers since the last few days has cause considerable anxiety among farmers in Ponda taluka.
Confirming the shortage of fertilizers, Zonal Agricultural Officer (ZAO) Ponda Nitin Bakhale said: “The shortage has occurred due to a strike by workers at a fertilizer industry in the State.”
Paddy cultivation has already begun and farmers are concerned as they are clueless on when the supply of fertilizers would resume in the State. “I visited at least four places in search of fertilizers since the last several days, but I returned empty-handed. One of our farmers managed to buy only 10 kilos of the fertilizer,” said Tanaji, a farmer from Marcela.
However, Bakhale said authorities have already made alternate arrangements procure fertilizers from a factory in a neighbouring state.
According to information, in Ponda taluka about 1,200 hectares of agricultural land is under paddy cultivation out of about 15,000 hectares (includes land used to cultivate crops other than paddy).
Dispelling fears of a possible damage to the crop due to the shortage of fertilizers, Bakhale said the shortage since the last couple of days would not affect paddy cultivation as fertilizer consignment is expected to reach the State within the next two-three days.
