Hyderabad: A sudden shortage of urea fertilizer has triggered panic across Telangana. On Thursday, chaos erupted in Tungaturthi of Suryapet district as thousands of farmers queued up overnight outside the Rythu Seva Cooperative Society, hoping to secure fertilizer.
Long queue for mere 444 urea bags
Farmers arrived as early as Wednesday evening. Many laid out mats, towels, and even left personal belongings to reserve their place in line. By morning, the venue was packed. However, only 444 bags of urea were available far fewer than needed.
With demand exceeding supply, most farmers returned home empty-handed. Still, many stayed behind, hoping fresh stock would arrive the next day.
Police intervene to calm turbulent crowd
As tempers flared, police rushed to the location to control the crowd. Officers issued warnings and worked to calm tensions. Despite the presence of law enforcement, farmers voiced anger over the prolonged wait and uncertainty surrounding fertilizer availability.
Fertilizer protests escalate over shortages
Farmers across Telangana have been protesting the acute urea shortage for weeks. Sit-ins, highway blockades, and appeals to local officials have intensified.
Several farmers alleged that private dealers, although holding urea stocks, forced them to purchase additional items like pesticides along with each bag. They accused the Agriculture Department of failing to act against such practices.
“This is exploitation,” one farmer said. “We need urea, not bundled deals.”
The crisis has deepened at the peak of the kharif season, putting pressure on authorities to act swiftly.