Tension flared up in the agricultural heartland of Haryana today as hundreds of farmers took to the streets, bringing traffic on a major highway to a standstill. The protest reflects growing anxiety over the availability of essential farm inputs for the upcoming winter crop cycle.
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Highway Chaos: Protesters used tractor-trolleys and boulders to block the Bhiwani-Rohtak highway near the city outskirts. Commuters were stranded for hours as farmers raised slogans against the Agriculture Department, demanding the immediate release of DAP stocks to local cooperative societies.
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Global vs. Local Factors: While local officials attribute the delay to logistical hurdles and the “Maruti-effect” on transport, experts point to a larger global crisis. Disruptions in the Red Sea trade routes and the Israel-Hamas war have significantly slowed down DAP imports from major suppliers like China, Jordan, and Morocco, leading to a 38% supply-demand gap in some Haryana pockets.
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The “Police-Slip” System: In many parts of Bhiwani, including Tosham, the shortage has become so acute that the police have taken over the distribution of “tokens” or slips. Farmers are reportedly being made to stand outside police stations to secure their quota of 2 to 5 bags, far below the required amount for large-scale sowing.
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Official Rebuttal: Agriculture Minister Shyam Singh Rana dismissed the claims of a “crisis,” stating that the state is receiving daily rakes of fertilizer. He urged farmers not to hoard bags, as the “hoarding mentality” is creating an artificial shortage that benefits black marketers selling bags for ₹1,800–₹2,000 against the MRP of ₹1,350
