With the sowing season for Rabi crops underway, the demand for fertilizers like DAP (diammonium phosphate) and urea has surged among farmers. Unfortunately, fraudsters are exploiting this demand by selling fake and adulterated fertilizers, putting farmers at risk of poor crop yield and financial loss. Several incidents of fake fertilizers being sold in the market have surfaced, especially in Punjab and Haryana, raising concerns about the quality of agricultural inputs. In response, the Uttar Pradesh Agriculture Department has offered a simple method for farmers to identify genuine urea at home. 

Rising Cases of Fake Fertilizer Sales in Key States 

As farmers prepare for the Rabi season, the need for fertilizers has dramatically increased. Taking advantage of this, dishonest sellers have been pushing fake or adulterated urea into the market. Over the past few weeks, several regions in Punjab and Haryana have reported widespread sales of fake fertilizer. Investigations have revealed that many samples collected from these regions were adulterated and did not meet the required quality standards. 

In an effort to help farmers protect themselves, the UP Agriculture Department has introduced easy-to-follow methods for identifying real urea. These techniques can be used by farmers at home, ensuring they avoid purchasing fake fertilizers that could harm their crops. 

Unfair Practices by Fertilizer Vendors 

Farmers in several states, including Rajasthan, have reported being pressured by sellers to purchase additional products when buying fertilizers. Vendors are reportedly bundling fertilizers with other products like herbicides, sulphur, pesticides, and micronutrient mixtures, regardless of whether farmers need them. This practice is not only unethical but also illegal. Chinmayi Gopal, Rajasthan’s Agriculture Commissioner, warned that strict action will be taken under the Fertilizer Control Order (FCO) 1985 against vendors caught exploiting farmers in this way. 

Failed Fertilizer Tests in Punjab and Haryana 

In Punjab, the Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Department has already taken action by canceling the licenses of two fertilizer companies for distributing substandard DAP to cooperative societies. Out of 40 samples tested, 24 failed to meet quality standards. Additionally, under the state’s ongoing quality control campaign, more than 1,000 samples have been collected for laboratory testing. 

Haryana’s Karnal district also reported concerns over the quality of agricultural inputs, with 33 samples of seeds, fertilizers, and pesticides failing to meet safety and quality standards. Of the 436 samples collected for testing, 15 fertilizer and seed samples were found to be substandard or misbranded, leading to increased worry among local farmers. 

Simple Ways for Farmers to Spot Fake Urea 

To help protect farmers from purchasing fake or adulterated urea, the Extension Education and Training Bureau of the Uttar Pradesh Agriculture Department has shared some easy identification methods. 

According to the bureau, genuine urea is white, shiny, and has uniform round grains. If the grains are uneven in size, dull, or oddly shaped, it may be adulterated urea. 

How to Check the Purity of Urea at Home? 

Farmers can easily check the purity of urea with two simple methods at home: 

• Water Solubility Test: Pure urea dissolves completely in water. Farmers can test this by placing a small amount of urea in a bucket of water. If it dissolves entirely without leaving any residue, it is likely genuine. Any residue left behind may indicate adulteration. 

• Heat Test: Pure urea will melt without leaving any residue when placed on a hot pan. If farmers increase the flame and the urea melts completely, it confirms the product’s purity. Any residue left on the pan suggests the urea has been adulterated. 

Protecting Farmers from Fraud 

The recent surge in fake fertilizer sales is a serious issue that could significantly affect crop yields and the livelihoods of farmers. As fraudulent practices become more common, it is crucial for farmers to stay vigilant and use the recommended methods to identify genuine urea. 

Agricultural authorities are also stepping up efforts to curb the sale of fake fertilizers by increasing inspections and cancelling licenses of offending suppliers. In Punjab alone, hundreds of samples are being tested, and in Haryana, the government is closely monitoring the quality of fertilizers to protect farmers from fraudulent activities. 

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