Farmers in Udaipur, Rajasthan, resorted to a dramatic and satirical form of protest on Monday, driven to desperation by a severe scarcity of urea fertiliser. Under the banner of the Mewad Kisan Sangharsh Samiti, they gathered outside the local agriculture department office to voice their anguish and highlight alleged corruption in the supply chain.
A Protest Laden with Symbolism
The demonstration was marked by powerful symbolic acts. To underscore their frustration with the system, farmers garlanded donkeys and fed them gulab jamun, a pointed critique of those they hold responsible. In a poignant gesture, they placed a bag of fertiliser on a chair, offered flowers to it, and conducted a mock mourning ritual as if at a bereavement, signifying the death of support for agriculture.
Allegations of Rampant Black Marketing
Leaders of the Mewad Kisan Sangharsh Samiti presented serious allegations. They claimed that during this peak demand period, rampant black marketing of urea is occurring with the alleged patronage of some officials. While the government-fixed price for a bag is Rs 277, farmers are being forced to pay between Rs 450 to Rs 500. The committee alleged that commissions are being paid to officials, a situation forcing the farming community to "shed tears of blood."
Demands for a Transparent System
The protesting farmers raised critical questions about the recurring nature of the crisis. They questioned why shortages plague every rabi and kharif season despite the government having access to data on landholding and crop patterns. To ensure fairness and transparency, they put forward concrete demands:
- A fertiliser distribution system modelled on the public distribution system (ration system).
- Mandatory generation of Point of Sale (POS) slips for every fertiliser purchase.
- Strict allocation of fertiliser based on verified landholding records.
Following the protest, a memorandum detailing these grievances was submitted to the joint director of the agriculture department. The committee issued a stern warning, threatening a larger agitation if the issue is not resolved promptly.
The protest is a reaction to a ground reality of hardship. For several days, farmers across Udaipur district have endured long queues at distribution centres, with only about 50% of the required fertiliser reportedly available. This crisis is adversely impacting over 3 to 4 lakh farmers in the district, threatening the yield of the current rabi season crops.
