Sowing all set to begin, Fazilka short on fertiliser

Abohar, November 2

The sowing of wheat is all set to begin in the border district of Fazilka on November 5, but the things are not looking bright on the fertiliser front.

Wheat is expected to be sown on 2.6 lakh hectares of the district, comprising Abohar, Fazilka and Jalalabad subdivisions. However, only 18,000 metric tonnes of DAP fertiliser is available against the requirement of 36,000 MT.

The area under fruit orchards is 35,000 hectares in Abohar and Fazilka. The total demand for urea for fields under wheat and fruit orchards was estimated at 76,000 MT, but private dealers and cooperative societies had at present only 14,000 MT available, sources said. The paddy lifting may also be hit as about 1,500 bales of jute bags are held up due to suspension of goods trains. — OC