Farmers driven to suicides under Akhilesh; Yogi govt waived loans of 86 lakh farmers: Agriculture Minister

Lucknow, Aug 2025 : Uttar Pradesh Agriculture Minister Surya Pratap Shahi on Tuesday launched a scathing attack on Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, saying he had no moral right to speak on farmers’ issues as they were denied timely sowing support and MSP during his tenure. Shahi said it was in that period that the Yogi government had to waive loans worth Rs 36,000 crore of 86 lakh farmers, questioning why suicides took place if the SP regime was truly farmer-friendly.

He also asserted that there is no shortage of fertilizers or urea in the state, blaming hoarding, black marketing and smuggling for creating an artificial crisis. He added, “Action has been intensified against irregularities in fertilizer distribution. So far, licenses of 1,196 retailers have been cancelled, notices served to 132 wholesalers, 13 suspended and 4 licenses revoked. FIRs have been lodged against 93 individuals, while District Agriculture Officers of Sitapur, Balrampur and Shravasti have been suspended for lapses.” He added that in Maharajganj and Siddharthnagar, several smugglers were caught hoarding dozens of urea bags without cultivation.

The Minister said the state government is committed to ensuring timely availability of fertilizers and seeds to farmers. At present, 15.91 lakh metric tonnes of fertilizers are available in the state. In Kharif 2024-2025, 32.07 lakh metric tonnes have already been sold—4.5 lakh metric tonnes more than last year. He added that despite the consumption of over 10,000 metric tonnes of urea in 15 districts, there was no shortage anywhere.

For Rabi 2025–26, Shahi announced a cultivation target of 138.78 lakh hectares, an expansion of 4 lakh hectares compared to last year’s 132.86 lakh hectares. Farmers will be provided 10 lakh quintals of subsidized seeds of wheat, barley, maize, rye, linseed, pulses, and oilseeds. He said, “In addition, 12.80 lakh mini kits will be distributed to encourage cultivation, and sugarcane farmers will be motivated to grow pulses and oilseeds alongside sugarcane, with free seed distribution.”

To meet Rabi requirements, the state will seek from the Centre: 41 lakh metric tonnes of urea, 17 lakh MT of DAP, 7.08 lakh MT of NP, 1.78 lakh MT of SSP, and 2 lakh MT of potash, he stated. Shahi pointed out that the Central Government provides a subsidy of up to Rs 1,908 per bag of urea, making it available to farmers at just Rs 266.50 instead of Rs 2,200. Similar subsidies are being extended on DAP, NP, SSP, and potash to ensure farmers do not face any hardship.

Highlighting the results of government support, Shahi said that with timely fertilizers, improved seeds, and better irrigation, the state’s food grain production has increased by 200 lakh metric tonnes in recent years, reaching 737 lakh MT. Sugarcane production has also seen a sharp rise, boosting the state’s economy. The GSVA of the agriculture sector has jumped from Rs 2 lakh crore under the SP rule to Rs 7 lakh crore today.

Concluding the press conference, Shahi assured farmers that they will not be allowed to suffer under any circumstances. He added, “The government and administration are on full alert, with special vigilance in border districts to stop fertilizer smuggling.” He reiterated: “Genuine farmers will not face any problem, but those engaged in hoarding, black marketing, and smuggling will face strict action.”

Important points of the press conference of Agriculture Minister Surya Pratap Shahi

• The area of Kharif 2024 in the state increased to 105.93 lakh hectares.
• In 2013-14, the area of Kharif was 90.46 lakh hectares.
• So far, there has been an increase of 15.47 lakh hectares i.e. 17% in the Kharif area.
• In the year 2015-16, the total cultivation was 225.87 lakh hectares.
• In 2024-25, the total area of cultivation increased to 274.22 lakh hectares.
• The scope of cultivation in the state increased by 28.35 lakh hectares.
• Consumption of 23 lakh metric tonnes of urea in Kharif 2016.
• Urea consumption reached 39 lakh metric tonnes in Kharif 2024.
• That is, urea consumption increased by 16 lakh metric tonnes in 8 years.
• Farmers bought 32.07 lakh metric tons of urea till 19 August 2025.
• There is still 1 month and 10 days left for the Kharif season to end.
• On 01 April 2025, the availability of urea in the state was 12.52 lakh metric tons.
• Till now, 25.45 lakh metric tons of urea have been ordered from the Government of India.
• Availability of a total of 37.97 lakh metric tons of urea is ensured.
• Out of this, farmers bought 32.07 lakh metric tons.
• Last year, during the same period, 27.86 lakh metric tons of urea was sold.
• This time, 4.21 lakh metric tons more urea was made available.
• Currently 6 lakh metric tons of urea is available in stock for farmers.
• Till now, 1.52 crore farmers have bought urea by putting their thumb impression on the POS machine.
• In Maharajganj, 186 people bought urea from 1 to 2.37 MT.
• Some people bought urea 4 to 13 times; an investigation started.
• In Siddharthnagar too, many farmers bought urea up to 20 times; the investigation continues.
• Strict action will be taken against black marketing and hoarding.
• International prices of fertilizers increased wildly.
• The Centre increased the subsidy so that the burden on farmers does not increase.
• The actual price of urea is Rs 2174 per bag, but farmers get it for just Rs 266.
• DAP is available to farmers for Rs 1350.
• Selling price of NPK is Rs 1850.
• Farmers are getting MOP for Rs 1800 and SSP for Rs 540.
• At present, a total of 15.91 lakh MT fertilizer is available in the state. * These include 5.90 lakh MT of urea, 3.87 lakh MT of DAP and 3 lakh MT of NPK.
• 2.51 lakh MT of SSP and 0.63 lakh MT of MOP available.
• 2.50 lakh MT of urea and 1.94 lakh MT of DAP stock in cooperative sector.
• 3.87 lakh MT of urea and 1.93 lakh MT of DAP available in the private sector.
• 24 racks of urea and 12 racks of DAP in transit.
• All racks will reach their destination in the next 3-4 days.
• The state is getting 10-12 racks of urea and 5-6 racks of DAP daily.
• 12,653 raids were conducted to stop black marketing of fertilizers.
• So far, 3,385 fertiliser samples have been taken.
• 1,047 notices issued.
• 571 retailers suspended and 1,196 cancelled.
• 13 wholesalers suspended and 4 cancelled.
• 93 FIRs registered and strict action taken.
• Government is committed to providing fertilizers to farmers on time.
• Farmers are the top priority of both the Central and State governments.