Supply from China cut, Karnataka farmers face DAP shortage: Report
Bengaluru: A drop in Di-ammonium Phosphate (DAP) imports from China has triggered a fertiliser shortage in Karnataka, leaving farmers struggling at the height of the kharif season.
The disruption has significantly impacted supplies, forcing authorities to suggest alternatives. The state agriculture department and experts are urging farmers to use Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium instead of DAP, as reported by The New Indian Express on Tuesday.
Karnataka requires 4 lakh tonnes of DAP for the ongoing kharif season and an additional 2 lakh tonnes for the upcoming rabi season. While the Centre had allocated 4 lakh tonnes for the current season based on average usage over the past three years, only 1.89 lakh tonnes have been supplied so far.
Agriculture department sources quoted in the news report said they had a stock of around 76,000 tonnes from last year. “We have been able to distribute 1.9 lakh tonnes so far, including from the last year’s stock. For rabi, allocation will be in July-end. We don’t know how much we will get,” they added.
India relies heavily on imports for its DAP supply—about 48% of the annual requirement—most of which comes from China. However, China has reportedly curtailed DAP exports due to a combination of political reasons and increased domestic demand for certain ingredients used in other products. Complicating the situation, India also imports phosphoric compounds from countries like Russia, but rising freight costs—exacerbated by shipping disruptions near Karachi after Indo-Pak tensions—have further strained availability.
DAP plays a critical role in farming, delivering essential phosphorus for root development, flowering, and fruiting, while nitrogen component supports vegetative growth.
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J'khand: 4 minors detained for 'raping' girl at birthday party
Ranchi (PTI): Four minors were detained for allegedly raping a 15-year-old girl at a birthday party in Jharkhand’s Ranchi, police said on Saturday.
The incident took place on March 31 within the Namkum police station limits. An FIR in this regard was lodged on April 16 based on the girl’s statement, they said.
“All five, including the victim, were friends, and the girl had gone to attend the birthday party of one of those detained. At the party, the accused consumed alcohol and allegedly raped her,” said Ramnarayan Singh, the officer in-charge of Namkum police station.
“The four, aged between 15 and 17 years, have been detained and the medical examination of the girl is underway,” Singh said.
Further investigation is underway.
