60% of required DAP already delivered in Ludhiana - DC Jitendra Jorwal

Ludhiana, November 4, 2024: Deputy Commissioner Jitendra Jorwal stated on Monday that the district administration has received 60 percent of the required diammonium phosphate (DAP) fertilizer for the farmers in Ludhiana. 

Jorwal disclosed that for the sowing of wheat (covering 243563 hectares), potato (covering 20485 hectares), and other crops (covering 4,529 hectares) in the district, a total of 39,000 metric tonnes of DAP is needed. Till today, 25400 metric tonnes of fertilizer have arrived in the district, which includes 23400 metric tonnes of DAP and 2,000 metric tonnes of substitute fertilizer. 

The Deputy Commissioner reassured farmers that the remaining stock of fertilizer is expected to arrive in the district within the next few days, urging them not to worry about DAP availability. He also mentioned that orders have been issued to fertilizer sellers to ensure that farmers are not pressured into buying other chemicals alongside DAP; failure to comply will lead to strict action.

All private dealers and cooperative societies have been instructed to display their stock of DAP and other fertilizers prominently outside their shops and godowns. Additionally, they are required to ensure that all bills issued to farmers include the sellers' mobile numbers. DAP is available at a regulated price of Rs 1,350 per 50 kg bag. 

Meanwhile, Chief Agricultural Officer Dr. Parkash Singh has encouraged farmers to consider alternative fertilizers to DAP for sowing wheat and other crops. He advised that Single Superphosphate, which contains 16% phosphorus, can be used as a substitute, requiring three bags of this fertilizer for every one bag of DAP. This alternative also provides additional sulphur. 

Similarly, NPK123216 contains 32% phosphorus, and one and a half bags of this fertilizer are equivalent to one bag of DAP, offering added potash which is absent in DAP. Furthermore, Triple Superphosphate contains 46% phosphorus and can be used in equal quantity to DAP while providing additional sulphur benefits. While NPK102626 contains 26% total phosphorus and can also meet the phosphorus requirements of crops, offering the added advantage of potash, which is not present in DAP.