West Asia crisis: Shivraj Singh Chouhan sets up cell to track seed, fertiliser availability

New Delhi: Agriculture minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has set up a special monitoring cell to track daily availability of key agricultural inputs like fertilisers and seeds amid global disruptions caused due to the crisis in West Asia.

The minister directed officials of a high-level committee with representatives of various government departments to safeguard the interests of the Indian agriculture sector and farmers amid current global volatility and to ensure strategic preparation for the upcoming kharif season.

He directed officials to ensure uninterrupted and equitable supply of fertilisers, stressing the need to fast-track the Farmer ID system to improve transparency in distribution, adding that he will also take weekly stock of the situation.


It has also ensured availability of gas and agro chemicals required for drying seeds, an important step in preparation for maize production ahead of the kharif season.

The government has also ordered a crackdown on black marketing and hoarding of fertilisers and seeds amid global disruptions. The government is also coordinating with relevant ministries to secure raw materials and packaging supplies.