Lawmakers in agriculture committee seek ministry's response on fertilizer shortage and audio clip controversy

At a meeting of the federal parliament's Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee held on Thursday, lawmakers drew the attention of the Agriculture Minister and the secretary to the shortage of chemical fertilizer, irregularities in the distribution system, and a controversial audio clip linked to the ministry.

Expressing dissatisfaction over the ministry's performance in the past six months, lawmakers sought answers on the contradictory situation in which farmers are unable to get fertilizer even though the ministry's data shows adequate supply. They also demanded a transparent fertilizer distribution system and clarification on the audio clip controversy.

At the meeting, Dr. Rajendra Prasad Mishra, secretary at the Ministry of Agriculture, Forests and Environment, said the government had succeeded in supplying the highest-ever quantity of chemical fertilizer in the last fiscal year.

According to Secretary Mishra, preparations are underway to purchase fertilizer worth 42 billion rupees for the upcoming season.