Bhubaneswar: With the Kharif season underway, Odisha has intensified its crackdown on fertiliser black marketing, hoarding and diversion, with enforcement teams conducting raids at 11,684 fertiliser shops across the state during the current financial year.
The intensified enforcement drive has resulted in show-cause notices to 2,774 persons, temporary suspension of fertiliser sales by 321 dealers and suspension of licences of 170 dealers for alleged irregularities. The licences of another 96 dealers have been cancelled, while fertiliser stocks belonging to 12 dealers have been seized and criminal cases registered against seven of them.
The action follows a zero-tolerance strategy outlined by Deputy Chief Minister and Agriculture & Farmers’ Empowerment Minister Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo to ensure that farmers have access to fertilisers at controlled prices during the Kharif 2026–27 season.
District- and block-level enforcement squads have been constituted to check black marketing, hoarding, diversion and the sale of substandard fertilisers. Inspection and flying squads comprising officials from the Revenue, Agriculture and Police departments have also been deployed to conduct regular inspections and raids at wholesale and retail outlets.
The enforcement measures are being carried out under the directions of Agriculture Department Commissioner-cum-Secretary Sachin Ramchandra Jadhav. Officials said action is being initiated under the Fertilizer Control Order, 1985 and the Essential Commodities Act, 1955 wherever violations are detected.
Enforcement intensifies
The scale of enforcement has increased considerably compared with the previous Kharif season. In 2025–26, authorities had conducted raids at 9,017 fertiliser shops, issued 2,373 show-cause notices and halted sales by 48 dealers. Licences of 53 dealers were suspended or revoked, while stocks from 15 dealers were seized and legal cases registered against nine persons.
The government said the increased monitoring and enforcement this year has helped improve farmers’ access to chemical fertilisers and curb unfair practices in the distribution network.
A recent raid in Kandhamal highlighted the action being taken against alleged violations. On August 29, a joint team comprising the Tahasildar, Agriculture Department officials and police raided Maa Sabitri Agro Agency in Baliguda subdivision and seized 700 bags of DAP fertiliser. The shop’s licence was cancelled and a criminal case was registered, with further investigation underway.
Meanwhile, inspections have been continuing at fertiliser shops in Manamunda block of Boudh district following information received from multiple sources regarding alleged irregularities. Officials are also recording statements from farmers during the inspections.
The Chief District Agriculture Officer of Boudh said appropriate action would be taken if allegations of black marketing or other violations are established.
Government assures adequate supply
Amid the enforcement drive, the government has maintained that adequate quantities of fertilisers are available at authorised selling points across the state and there is no need for farmers to panic.
Authorities have urged farmers not to rely on rumours or engage in panic buying and advised them to purchase fertilisers only from authorised dealers at controlled prices.
The government said it would continue to closely monitor fertiliser distribution throughout the Kharif season and take strict action against dealers found violating regulations, with the stated objective of ensuring timely and affordable access to fertilisers for farmers.
