Sri Vijaya Puram, October 5: Farmers in Shaheed Dweep are set to receive additional fertiliser supplies after the issue of timely availability for vegetable cultivation was raised during a Jan Samvad meeting chaired by Lieutenant Governor Dinesh Sharma on September 27. The Agriculture Department has moved to replenish stocks, with the first consignment dispatched to the island on October 3 for the ensuing Rabi season.
The intervention followed the Lieutenant Governor’s meeting with officers of the Andaman and Nicobar Administration at Shaheed Dweep as part of the Jan Samvad programme. During the meeting, concerns affecting islanders were discussed, including the need to ensure farmers have access to fertilisers when required for cultivation.
Sharma directed the concerned departments to address the issues at the earliest, take action within defined timelines and keep the Lieutenant Governor’s Office informed about the steps taken.
The Agriculture Department subsequently initiated action to strengthen fertiliser availability at Shaheed Dweep. The department said 7.804 metric tonnes of MOP was already available at its departmental store on the island before the latest dispatch.
The first additional lot, comprising 1.0 metric tonne of Urea and DAP, was dispatched on October 3. The supply is intended to meet the requirements of the farming community and maintain access to essential agricultural inputs during the Rabi season.
The department said the availability of these fertilisers will enable farmers to maintain balanced nutrient application and adopt Integrated Nutrient Management practices. It said the approach will support soil health and agricultural productivity, particularly in vegetable cultivation.
The Agriculture Department is monitoring the movement of the consignment and its availability to ensure that the fertilisers reach farmers through the designated distribution mechanism.
Officials will also assess further requirements based on demand and existing availability. Additional quantities will be replenished as required, the department said.
The latest action places the availability of essential farm inputs at Shaheed Dweep among the issues being addressed through the time-bound response mechanism outlined during the Lieutenant Governor’s Jan Samvad meeting.
