Mysuru: As the monsoon season sets in and agricultural activities gather pace across Mysuru district, farmers are expressing concern over rising fertiliser prices and uncertainty surrounding future supplies. The situation has triggered anxiety among cultivators preparing for the kharif season, particularly after reports of fertiliser shortages and long queues at retail outlets in parts of North Karnataka.
Farmers fear that similar supply disruptions could emerge in Mysuru during the peak sowing period, affecting crop cultivation and increasing input costs.
Concerns grow over rising fertiliser costs
The recent increase in fertiliser prices has become a major concern for farmers across the district. According to traders, the prices of key fertilisers such as potash, DAP (Di-Ammonium Phosphate) and complex fertilisers have risen significantly due to global supply disruptions.
Retailers say the ongoing conflict in West Asia has affected international supply chains, leading to higher procurement costs and uncertainty in availability.
Many farmers are worried that the increase in fertiliser prices will raise cultivation expenses at a time when agricultural operations are beginning in earnest across rain-fed and irrigated regions of the district.
Reports of shortages trigger anxiety
Reports of farmers queuing up for fertilisers in North Karnataka have added to concerns among cultivators in Mysuru. While no major shortage has been officially reported in the district, some farmers claim that availability has become limited in certain villages.
According to cultivators, retailers are unable to maintain large inventories because of fluctuating prices and uncertainty regarding future supplies.
This has fuelled apprehension among farmers who depend on timely access to fertilisers for sowing and crop growth during the monsoon season.
Traders cite supply uncertainties
Fertiliser traders say the situation remains challenging due to instability in supply and pricing.
A trader, Suresha, stated that the prices of potash, DAP and complex fertilisers have increased by around ₹500 per bag in recent months. He explained that dealers require substantial capital investment to procure large quantities of fertilisers, making stocking decisions difficult amid market uncertainty.
Another retailer, Ramu, said restrictions on fertiliser sales and fluctuating prices have prompted many traders to adopt a cautious approach. According to him, both dealers and farmers are waiting for greater clarity before making large purchases.
Farmer identification rule sparks debate
The issue of fertiliser availability comes amid ongoing concerns over the mandatory Farmer Identification system for purchasing fertilisers.
Farmers in Mysuru recently staged protests against the requirement, arguing that it complicates access to essential agricultural inputs.
They contend that cultivators working on Bagair Hukum land and those without complete documentation may face difficulties purchasing the required quantities of fertilisers. Farmer groups have urged the government to address these concerns to ensure uninterrupted access during the sowing season.
High demand across agricultural regions
Demand for fertilisers remains strong across Mysuru district as farmers prepare for the cultivation of various crops.
Fertilisers are particularly important for maize and tobacco cultivation, which are widely grown during the pre-monsoon season in taluks such as H D Kote and Nanjangud.
Farmers have also begun cultivating pulses, legumes, banana, ginger and other commercial crops, further increasing the demand for agricultural inputs.
With the onset of monsoon rains, sowing activities are expected to intensify, leading to greater fertiliser consumption in the coming weeks.
Agriculture Department assures adequate stock
Despite concerns raised by farmers and traders, the Agriculture Department has assured cultivators that there is currently no shortage of fertilisers in Mysuru district.
Joint Director of Agriculture K H Ravi said the department has taken necessary measures to ensure adequate availability during the crucial agricultural season.
According to departmental figures, Mysuru district currently has a stock of 57,622 tonnes of fertilisers. The district’s requirement for June is estimated at 21,949 tonnes, which officials say is sufficient to meet demand until at least mid-July.
Ravi acknowledged that international disruptions have affected fertiliser shipments, noting that around 24 vessels have reportedly faced supply challenges due to the conflict in West Asia. However, he expressed confidence that the district would be able to manage the situation, as it had done during previous shortages.
Monsoon marks start of key agricultural season
Agriculture in Mysuru district follows a seasonal cycle centred around the kharif and rabi seasons.
With the arrival of the southwest monsoon, farmers traditionally begin sowing major crops such as paddy, ragi and maize. Preparatory activities, including land tilling and sowing of short-duration crops, often begin during the pre-monsoon period.
As rainfall increases across the district, agricultural operations are expected to accelerate significantly over the coming weeks.
Conclusion
While agriculture officials maintain that Mysuru has sufficient fertiliser stocks for the immediate future, rising prices and concerns over global supply disruptions have created uncertainty among farmers preparing for the kharif season. Cultivators are hoping for stable supplies and timely government intervention to ensure that fertiliser availability does not become a hurdle during one of the most important agricultural periods of the year.
