This is an archive article published on August 31, 2024
Acutely short of fertiliser, Punjab sends SOS to Centre
Punjab apprehends that with assembly elections around the corner in BJP-led Haryana, the Centre may flush Haryana with DAP -- a basic nutrient for Rabi crops -- to appease the Jat voters, sources said.
K A P Sinha, Additional Chief Secretary, Punjab, met Nadda in Delhi on Friday in this regard and apprised him of the situation. The meeting was a follow-up to a recent letter written by Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann to Nadda on the issue. (Express File)
The Punjab government has flagged the issue of shortage of diammonium phosphate (DAP), a fertiliser that has to be sprinkled at the time of sowing crops like mustard and wheat, to Union Fertiliser Minister J P Nadda stating that the farmers may fall into a debt trap if the problem is not sorted out.
K A P Sinha, Additional Chief Secretary, Punjab, met Nadda in Delhi on Friday in this regard and apprised him of the situation. The meeting was a follow-up to a recent letter written by Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann to Nadda on the issue.
Sinha, sources said, told Nadda that an area of 35 lakh hectares will be sown under wheat crop during ensuing Rabi season, and 5.50 lakh MT of DAP was required. The state had only received 40,000 MT, which was too little considering the magnitude of sowing of wheat.
There is a shortage of DAP in the international market. The state government has been looking at alternatives also recently. Punjab apprehends that with assembly elections around the corner in BJP-led Haryana, the Centre may flush Haryana with DAP — a basic nutrient for Rabi crops — to appease the Jat voters, sources said.
CM Mann, in his letter, had written that there was a shortfall of 5.1 lakh MT of DAP. The letter stated, “An area of about 35 lakh hectares will be sown under wheat crop during ensuing Rabi season which requires about 5.50 lakh MT of DAP fertiliser against which the receipts as on July 1, 2024, are close to 40,000 MT only, leaving a shortfall of 5.1 lakh MT. As the remaining DAP quantity is huge, its early pre-positioning is necessary which always helps us in making the supplies available to the farmers of the state at the time of application….”
After the meeting, Sinha, in a statement, said that Nadda has assured that there would be no shortage of DAP fertiliser and other phosphatic fertilisers, and that adequate quantities would be supplied to Punjab over the next two months as per demand. “We are confident that this allocation, combined with the assured supply, will meet our farmers’ demands,” he said.
Meanwhile, Sinha also held a meeting with Rajat Kumar Mishra, Secretary, Union Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilisers, to ensure the availability of fertilisers in Punjab.
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The CM’s letter also stated that “DAP is first required in potato sowing areas during the second fortnight of September and further for wheat sowing which takes place from mid-October to first fortnight of November. DAP is an essential input for ensuring optimum production of wheat and in order to ensure timely and smooth availability of DAP to farmers and to prevent any kind of panic buying, it is of utmost importance that sufficient quantity of DAP is stored well before the consumption period in the state by the end of October”.
The letter further stated, “The shortage of DAP can affect the sowing of wheat to a large extent and may have wider economic and social ramifications. This would worsen the financial position of the already debt-ridden farmers of Punjab. Hence, it is our primary responsibility to make arrangements of DAP well in advance so that the farmers may get supplies in time and are saved from undue hardships.”
In the letter the CM stated, “I would, therefore, request you to kindly advise the authority concerned to move the allocated stocks during August 2024 and further allocate the remaining quantity of 5.1 lakh MT of DAP during first fortnight of November 2024.”
In the letter, the CM had also reminded the Centre of Punjab’s significant contribution to the country’s breadbasket. “As you are aware that Punjab is nation’s breadbasket which contributes significantly to the central food pool, providing approximately 21% of paddy and 31% of wheat. This achievement is largely attributed to the consistent supply of fertilisers in required quantities.”
Kanchan Vasdev is a Senior Assistant Editor in The Indian Express’ Punjab bureau. She is a highly experienced journalist with 22 years of expertise covering high-stakes politics, governance, and social issues in Northern India.
Professional Background
Role: Primary reporter covering the Punjab Chief Minister’s Office (CMO), government policies, and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leadership in the state.
Experience: She previously worked with The Tribune and has played a key role in launching various city editions.
Special Projects:
Abandoned Brides: Authored a monograph on brides abandoned by NRIs as part of the Prabha Dutt Memorial Fellowship.
Environment: Worked as a Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) fellow, focusing on the pollution levels in the Satluj river.
Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025)
Her recent reporting focuses on the legislative strategies and political maneuvers of the Bhagwant Mann-led Punjab government:
1. Legislative & Governance Standoffs
"Punjab govt advances special Assembly session to pass resolution against VB-G RAM G Bill" (Dec 20, 2025): Reporting on the state's move to block the Centre's "Viksit Bharat" mission, which the state claims will undermine MGNREGA.
"Punjab govt doubles down on special sessions, sixth in January" (Dec 19, 2025): Detailing the AAP government's use of special sessions as a legislative tool amid tensions with the Governor.
"Punjab asks 'VIP teachers' working near Chandigarh to go back to border districts" (Dec 16, 2025): Reporting on CM Mann's move to end the practice of influential teachers avoiding postings in remote areas.
2. Political Analysis & Rural Polls
"Punjab rural polls: Why Akalis are likened to dinosaurs in Punjab" (Dec 19, 2025): Analyzing CM Bhagwant Mann's rhetoric against the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) following local body elections.
"AAP claims win in 78% Punjab zila parishads as counting continues" (Dec 18, 2025): Breaking down the results of the 2025 rural elections.
"Rahul Gandhi and Sidhu alike, says Bhagwant Mann" (Dec 13, 2025): Covering the CM's critique of the Congress leadership.
3. Law Enforcement & Bureaucracy
"Suspended Punjab IPS officer Ravjot Kaur Grewal awaits reinstatement" (Dec 10, 2025): Investigative reporting on the bureaucratic red tape involving the Election Commission and the state government.
"Punjab declines to give parole to Amritpal Singh" (Nov 27, 2025): Detailing the state government's refusal to grant parole to the radical preacher and sitting MP.
4. Welfare & Economy
"Punjab government's plan to add more freebies to 'atta-dal' scheme hits funds roadblock" (Dec 4, 2024): An analysis of the fiscal challenges facing the state's flagship food security program.
"Mann leads Punjab delegation to Japan and South Korea for investor outreach" (Dec 2, 2025).
Signature Beat
Kanchan Vasdev is known for her insider access to Punjab's political executive. Her writing provides deep insights into how state policies are formulated and the friction points between the state government and central authorities. Her dual expertise in environment and law allows her to report on complex issues like the "Farmhouse Policy" (Dec 18, 2025) and river pollution with a unique policy-oriented lens.
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