SWABI: Fertiliser dealers have increased the price of diammonium phosphate (DAP) by Rs300 per bag as the wheat sowing season has started in the district, complained farmers on Friday.

The growers said the increased price of DAP was a big surprise for them but they had no option but to purchase the fertiliser at high rates because without its use they won’t be able to get the desired yield.

They said the increase in price of fertiliser would put extra financial burden on them.

The growers said when they went to the market for purchasing the fertiliser they were told by the dealers to pay Rs2,900 per DAP bag instead of the previously Rs2,600.

They lamented that Pakistan was an agricultural country and as such extra importance should be given to the sector, but the farmers were always exploited.

“It is a great shock for me because we are already trapped in financial difficulties. The increased price of DAP will inflict more financial woes on the farmers,” said Wahid Khan of Maneri Bala village.

Safdar Khan of Naro Banda village remarked that the government was responsible for the entire mess and plight of farmers.

The small farmers have been further pushed to the wall, Khalid Khan, district president of Kisan Board, said, adding it was responsibility of both the federal and provincial governments to keep the fertiliser price under control.

Kashthkar Coordination Council members said the government should take immediate steps for withdrawal of increase in price of DAP.

They warned that poor farmers should not be forced to stage protest demonstrations and block roads.

Dr Mir Khatham, head of Farm Services Centre, Swabi, said the increase in DAP price was because of an increase in its demand as the wheat sowing and cultivation of different vegetables had started in the district.

Published in Dawn, November 18th, 2017