Raipur, April 7 Chhattisgarh Agriculture Minister Ramvichar Netam warned on Tuesday that those involved in black marketing and hoarding of chemical fertilizers in the state will face strict legal action, including imprisonment.
Addressing a review meeting of his department at the Indira Gandhi Krishi Vishwavidyalaya campus here, the minister insisted that the government was fully vigilant amid concerns over possible supply disruptions due to the ongoing war in West Asia, which has disrupted fertilizer and energy supply chains.
"There will be no shortage of fertilizers. Strict monitoring is being carried out, and any irregularity will invite immediate action," he said, adding that officials have been directed to conduct regular and surprise inspections across districts.
Netam maintained that preparations for the Kharif 2026 season are underway, with emphasis on ensuring the timely availability of fertilizers, including pre-stocking in remote areas.
He also reviewed preparations for the 'Viksit Bharat Sankalp Abhiyan', scheduled from May 5 to May 20, under which teams of agricultural scientists and officials will visit villages to interact with farmers and provide guidance on modern farming techniques and alternative fertilizers.
The minister noted that the state will promote the use of alternatives such as NPK (nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium) and SSP (single super phosphate) fertilizers in view of the DAP (diammonium phosphate) supply issues last year, while also simultaneously encouraging organic farming practices.
Efforts are being made to boost the cultivation of pulses, oilseeds, and other alternative crops to enhance farmer income and reduce input costs, Netam emphasised.
He directed officials to complete the registration of all farmers under the AgriStack 'Farmer ID' initiative within a week to ensure they receive benefits under the Centre's PM-KISAN scheme.
Reviewing the implementation of the PM-AASHA scheme – aimed at ensuring remunerative prices for farm products – he expressed concern over its slow progress in several districts and called for better coordination among cooperative agencies such as MARKFED and NAFED to expedite the procurement of pulses and oilseeds.
He asked the horticulture department to prepare an action plan for promoting the cultivation of 'makhana' (puffed fox nut) and 'singhara' (water chestnut) along with fish farming to diversify farmer income sources.
The minister said that the government's focus is on making agriculture more sustainable, modern, and profitable while ensuring adequate supply of essential inputs.