Agriculture minister calls for fertiliser availability, crackdown against counterfeits

KARACHI: A high-level meeting on Thursday presided over by Provincial Minister for Agriculture, Supplies, and Anti-Corruption Sardar Muhammad Bakhsh Mahar focused on ensuring the availability of these essential agricultural inputs at reasonable prices for farmers.

The meeting was convened at the Sukkur commissioner’s office to assess and address the demand and supply of urea and DAP fertilisers across Sindh. The meeting brought together key stakeholders, including Secretary Agriculture Rafiq Ahmed Buriro; Director General Agriculture Sindh Munir Ahmed Jumani; deputy commissioners of Sukkur, Khairpur and Ghotki; and representatives from major fertiliser companies like Engro, FFC, Fatima Fertilizers, among others. Dealers and directors from various wings of the agriculture department were also in attendance.

During the meeting, Minister Mahar emphasized the critical importance of fertilisers in agriculture and the need for a coordinated effort between the government and companies. He directed the director-general of Sindh’s agriculture department, Munir Ahmed Jumani, to ensure fertiliser availability and intensify crackdowns on counterfeit fertilisers and pesticides in the province.

“As a farmer myself, I am acutely aware of the challenges posed by urea fertilisershortages,” Minister Mahar stated. “We must work together to ensure the uninterrupted and timely supply of fertilisers to our farmers.”

He further instructed deputy commissioners and agriculture department officers to crack down on those selling counterfeit agricultural products, warning that divisional and district officers must closely monitor the market to prevent profiteering and hoarding. “If our farmers prosper, so does our country,” Mahar added, highlighting the Sindh government’s commitment to the agricultural sector and farmers’ welfare.

Jumani provided a detailed briefing during the meeting. He reported that during the Kharif season, the cultivated land totalled 2,560,600 hectares, with a demand for 381,636 metric tonnes of DAP and 794,731 metric tonnes of urea. However, a shortfall of 125,100.67 metric tonnes of urea was reported until September 3. For the upcoming Rabi season, the demand for urea is expected to be 731,645 metric tonnes.

Jumani also noted that fines totalling Rs8.48 million have been imposed on 232 traders selling substandard fertilisers. Out of the 961 pesticide samples sent for testing, 897 met the required standards, while 15 were found substandard, with 49 results still pending.

Representatives from Engro and other fertiliser companies assured the government of sufficient stock, with 600,000 metric tonnes of urea and 450,000 metric tonnes of DAP available.

After the meeting, Mahar briefed the media and highlighted the government’s efforts to combat fertiliser hoarding, black marketing and smuggling. He called for enhanced coordination between district administrations, the agriculture department and fertiliser companies to ensure fair pricing and availability.

The minister reiterated the government’s commitment to supporting farmers, mentioning plans to compensate those affected by recent rains through initiatives with the World Bank and the Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Hari Card. He also stressed the importance of modernizing agricultural practices and empowering local talent to take on leadership roles in the industry.