BAHAWALPUR, Nov 16: An artificial shortage of DAP has been created in the district by the dealers and distributors.

In view of the shortage, stockists have started charging Rs1,000 to Rs1,100 for a bag instead of Rs850.

Farmers alleged that the dealers have created artificial shortage of DAP before sowing wheat.

They demanded the government to take steps for smooth supply of DAP and other fertilizers at fixed rates so that the wheat sowing targets could be achieved.

Meanwhile, EDO (agriculture) Ali Ahmad Mahais at a meeting asked the regional managers of the fertilizer companies to be vigilant about the prices and availability to the farmers so that the sowing could not be affected.