Fertilisers are still continuing to be a potent I source of worry for the fanners. A recent workshop I on fertiliser business and distribution has revealed that fanners are not reportedly benefiting . from the scaling down of urea price following the government decision to give: subsidy: cheaper urea has.encouraged indiscriminate and excessive-use of the fertiliser.

This is definitely going tell on the natural fertility of the soil- Besides, over-dependence upon a particular commodity can only give rise to the dark forces in the fertiliser market.

Although there is no dearth of sincerity in the present government s attitude to tackle problems plaguing country s agriculture, the time, it seems, has come for a broader and sustained approach to the whole issue. As it transpired from the workshop, a survey at the national level covering all the relevant aspects would be conducted. It is not simply a matter of streamlining the business cycle by ensuring the accountability of the dealers even though this is important at this point in t me but. it also boils down to agricultural education. Farmers need to be informed of the necessity of uniform and proper use of fertilisers. Once they have a clearer picture of soil nutrition, any effort | to help them from the government level will be j easily and quickly effective.

As the Minister for Agriculture. Food. Relief and Disaster Management rightly pointed out. instead of sporadic suggestions the representatives of donors in this field as well the International Fertiliser Development Council (IFDC) should counsel the concerned ministry in a sustained manner. A regular review of the fertiliser situation will help the authorities to ward off the problems.