Hyderabad: Agriculture Minister Tummala Nageswara Rao on Friday directed officials to open additional urea sales counters at Rythu Vedikas across Telangana, citing an improvement in fertiliser supply.
He said the government had already experimented with new distribution methods in some areas, which showed positive results. Based on that, the system will now be extended across the state. He instructed officials to use Rythu Vedikas, especially in mandals with only one or two PACS outlets, to make sales easier. Farmers will receive tokens a day in advance based on passbooks to ensure smooth access.
Tummala orders extra urea sales counters amid Centre’s support
Tummala said the state had requested urgent support from the Centre due to rising demand during the kharif season. In response, the Union government agreed to allocate urea from four imported consignments arriving at east coast ports. In addition, it sanctioned 30,000 metric tonnes from domestic units to cover shortages caused by the shutdown of the Ramagundam RFCL plant.
The minister said the Centre had also promised to restart the Ramagundam unit within three to four days. “This intervention will further improve availability for farmers,” he added.
Telangana receives fresh urea stocks
According to Tummala, 11,181 metric tonnes of urea reached Telangana on Friday through GSFC, IPL, CIL-Karaikal, and CIL-Kakinada. These were distributed to stock points at Karimnagar, Miryalaguda, Warangal, and Peddapalli. On Saturday, another 9,039 metric tonnes from MFL, KRIBHCO, and CIL-Krishnapatnam will reach Warangal, Sanathnagar, and Karimnagar depots.
He said the state received 28,000 metric tonnes in just four days this month. So far, Telangana has sold 8.20 lakh metric tonnes of urea this season, compared to 7.75 lakh tonnes at the same time last year.
The minister also revealed that Telangana had asked the Cabinet Secretary to ensure 2 lakh metric tonnes over the next 20 days, at a rate of 10,000 tonnes per day. He urged farmers to buy only as much as required and avoid hoarding.
Vigilance to prevent black marketing
Tummala said strict monitoring was underway with police and vigilance teams to prevent black marketing. He assured that the government was committed to supplying fertiliser to farmers on time, without disruptions.