VEHARI, Dec 14: Growers of the Vehari district and adjoining areas have protested against artificial shortage of DAP fertilizer by stockists and agency holders.

Several complaints have been lodged with the district Nazim and the DCO about the hoarding of fertilizer during the last one week.

A group of farmers of Mailsi and Karmpur Town told Dawn here on Tuesday that the district administration had not taken any action against the DAP dealers who used to create artificial shortage every year during wheat sowing.

A 50kg DAP bag is currently being sold for Rs990 to Rs1,100 against the fixed price of Rs820 per bag. Farmers of Chak 192-EB and Luddan said they purchased fertilizer from other cities of the Punjab for Rs960 each due to its shortage in the district.

Local grain market sources said it was an open secret that the agency holders had their godowns full of DAP bags. However, they provided the same to only those recommended by the district or tehsil Nazim and the DCO.

The owner of an agency said he had invested a huge money in the business and was justified in earning a profit. A farmer of Shatabgarh, Mailsi Town, said he got six DAP bags from the local market on the phone call of the district Nazim. When contacted, district government spokesman Mehr Mushtaq said a drive against DAP fertilizer hoarding would start soon.