Karnataka: Agriculture Minister directs officials to prepare farmers’ demands for seeds and fertilizers before sowing

Karnataka Agriculture Minister Cheluvarayaswamy has directed the officials in his department to gear up to meet the demands of farmers, like seeds and fertilisers before the sowing season begins in the state.

Based on the prediction of normal rainfall, the state is likely to produce 139.28 lakh tonnes of food grains during 2022-23 agri season.

The demand for seeds is expected to be 5.54 lakh quintals, and the state has a stock of 7.85 lakh quintals. The minister said that there is no shortage of fertiliser in the state. 
 
During 2023-24, the demand for fertilisers is expected to be 25.47 lakh metric tonne, and the state has already received 7.30 metric tonne.

Responding to the need to fill 58 percent of vacancies in the agriculture department, the minister said that out of 8,982 posts, 3,787 are filled, and 5,195 are vacant. He said this is resulting in delay in reaching the programmes of the department to farmers.