Midnight queues, empty bags: Telangana’s fertiliser woes

As the Kharif season advances, Telangana farmers across multiple districts, including Suryapet and Narayanpet, continue to face acute shortages of urea, forcing them to queue overnight at distribution centers despite government assurances.

Farmers, including women and children, have been waiting in long lines at Primary Agricultural Cooperative Societies (PACS) and Rythu Seva Kendras. In Marikal mandal, Narayanpet district, families have been camping out at the Teeleru PACS since midnight. Similar scenes are unfolding in Suryapet, where farmers are resorting to placing their slippers in queues to retain their spot.

Despite state government initiatives including additional allocations, 500 Rythu Vedika sale centers, ePOS systems, and token-based distribution many farmers continue to return empty-handed. Some report receiving only two 45-kg bags of urea, far short of agricultural requirements, raising concerns over a potential 10–15% drop in Kharif yields.

Black marketing further compounds the crisis, with urea being sold at inflated prices of ₹350–400 per bag, compared to the subsidized rate of ₹266.50. In Narayanpet’s Kosgi, protests erupted at PACS centers due to delayed or insufficient supplies. Technical issues such as malfunctioning biometric and OTP systems at distribution points have hindered access, especially for tenant farmers and those lacking Aadhaar cards.

The state government claims to have secured an additional 40,000 metric tonnes of urea in August and announced plans for 10,000 metric tonnes in daily supplies. However, farmers argue that these measures have not translated into on-ground relief, as long queues and rationing persist. Incidents like a woman collapsing in Mahabubabad underscore the crisis’s urgency.

Agriculture Minister Tummala Nageswara Rao has urged farmers to exercise restraint and appealed for the reopening of the Ramagundam Fertilisers and Chemicals Limited (RFCL) plant, whose operations are expected to resume within 3–4 days.

The prolonged shortage remains a critical concern. With essential top-dressing for paddy nearing completion, any further delay in fertilizer supply could significantly impact crop health and agricultural productivity across Telangana.