Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, August 20, 2025 – Farmers in Uttar Pradesh can breathe easier this Kharif season as the state government, led by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, has ensured there’s no shortage of fertilizers across all 75 districts. With a record-breaking 42.64 lakh metric tonnes of fertilizers sold by August 18, including a 16% rise in urea sales compared to last year’s 36.76 lakh metric tonnes, the state is meeting farmers’ needs head-on. But alongside this achievement, the Yogi administration is cracking down hard on black marketing and overpricing to protect farmers from exploitation.
The Agriculture Department shared detailed data showing strong fertilizer availability. Urea sales reached 31.62 lakh metric tonnes this year, up from 27.25 lakh last year, while DAP (diammonium phosphate) sales hit 5.38 lakh metric tonnes. As of August 18, fertilizer availability across the state remains steady with Urea stock at 37.70 lakh MT (31.62 lakh MT already sold), DAP at 9.25 lakh MT (5.38 lakh MT sold), and NPK at 5.40 lakh MT (2.39 lakh MT sold). Supplies are stable across all 18 divisions, ensuring uninterrupted support for farmers during the peak agricultural season.
“We’ve ensured enough stock for every farmer,” said Agriculture Minister Surya Pratap Shahi. “But we won’t spare those who try to cheat farmers by hoarding or overcharging.” The government has launched inspections across districts like Lucknow and Sitapur, where dozens of fertilizer dealers were caught breaking rules. In Lucknow’s BKT area, two dealers had their licenses canceled and faced legal action for selling at inflated prices. In Sitapur, a district agriculture officer was suspended for failing to monitor properly.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has taken a firm stand, urging farmers not to hoard fertilizers and to buy only what they need. “There’s no shortage, so don’t panic,” he said in a recent meeting. He’s ordered district officials to inspect regularly, stay in touch with farmers, and ensure smooth distribution. A dedicated helpline, 0522-2209650, is now active for farmers to report issues like overpricing or fake fertilizers. The government’s tough measures include filing FIRs, seizing stocks, and sealing shops of guilty dealers. For example, in Prayagraj, 44 sales centers lost their licenses, and two were sealed after raids found fake fertilizers.
Learning from the past, the state now uses digital tools like point-of-sale machines to track sales and prevent illegal diversions, especially near Nepal’s border, where urea smuggling is a concern due to its high price abroad. With sowing in full swing for crops like paddy and maize, the government’s focus on transparency and strict action against black marketing aims to keep agriculture thriving. As Uttar Pradesh pushes for record harvests, officials promise to keep a close watch to ensure no farmer is left in the lurch.
