Gypsum sold as ‘Super’ fertiliser in Muktsar, farmers urge govt to act

Several farmers in Muktsar district have alleged that they were deceived by the misleading sale of a product named “Super”, which was marketed by a private company through some cooperative societies. According to farmers, they were led to believe that the product was a high-grade fertiliser, Single Super Phosphate (SSP), based on its name and packaging.

However, officials of the Agriculture Department have clarified that the product in question is not SSP, but merely calcium sulphate, which is chemically identical to ordinary gypsum and is ordinarily used as a soil conditioner.

While a standard 50-kg bag of gypsum is priced around Rs 205, the “Super” product was sold for a much higher price of Rs 759 per bag, raising concerns of exploitation. A bag of SSP is, however, available for Rs 475 in the market.

“The ‘Super’ product is the same as gypsum sold for Rs 205 per bag. We have issued notices to the sellers in this regard. Strict action will be taken if any violations are found. We have written to the seniors in Chandigarh as well,” said Karanjit Singh, Chief Agriculture Officer, Muktsar.

Meanwhile, the farmers have urged the government to take immediate steps to prevent the sale of misleading products, compensate those affected, besides ensuring accountability of cooperative societies.

“We trusted the cooperative society, thinking we were getting good quality fertiliser. Later, we found out it was just gypsum in the name of a ‘Super’ bag. We came to know about the truth when the freshly sown paddy crop had no positive impact. Nearly 300 bags are sold in our village only. One can easily comprehend the situation in the entire state,” said Charanjit Singh Sandhu, a farmer from Sakkanwali village.

Charanjit said, “Gypsum was not even required in our fields. Now, the farmers will have to bear additional expenses on the usage of SSP,” he claimed.

Senior farm leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal said, “The state government banned this product in November last year. Surprisingly, it was allowed to be sold just 20 days later. Farmers are currently being looted as the product is being sold through cooperative societies. This is just gypsum, or contains very little calcium. Farmers and their fields will not benefit from it. I warn the state government to compensate the affected farmers and take action against the officials responsible, or the farmers will be forced to launch a protest.”

Punjab