Tiruchi Farmers Oppose Expansion of New Fertilizer Distribution System

Farmers' representatives in Tiruchi district, Tamil Nadu, have expressed opposition to any move to expand a new fertilizer distribution system to other districts. The system, introduced as a pilot project in Erode and Sivaganga districts by the Union government through the Framework for Fertilizer Sale (FFS) App, is expected to be extended soon.

During the monthly farmers grievances meeting held on Friday at the Collectorate in Tiruchi, representatives raised concerns about the procedural challenges posed by the app-based distribution method.

Key Concerns Raised by Farmers

• Exclusion of Tenant Farmers: Aylia Sivasuriyan, district secretary of the Tamil Nadu Vivasayigal Sangam (affiliated to the CPI), stated that under the FFS App process, only landowners can obtain a unique identity from the Union Ministry of Agriculture using a QR code token. He noted that tenant farmers, including those tilling temple and mutt lands, would be unable to secure IDs, thus losing access to subsidized fertilizers and central schemes like crop insurance.
• Digital Access Barriers: Representatives highlighted that many small and marginal farmers do not own smartphones, making mobile app navigation difficult.
• Crop Insurance Hurdles: V. Chidambaram, district secretary of the Tamil Nadu Vivasayigal Sangam (affiliated to the CPI-M), reported that tenant farmers face obstacles registering for crop insurance because they cannot complete owner verification requiring an OTP.
• Water Supply Issues: Farmers also complained about low water flow in canal tail-end areas, affecting samba cultivation on thousands of acres.

Official Responses and Actions

• A district official addressing crop insurance stated that the matter was escalated to the Agriculture Production Commissioner/Secretary, and an officer is being sent to New Delhi to resolve related issues.
• District Collector Pratik Tayal chaired the meeting, reprimanded a Forest Department official for delaying a meeting on crop damage by animals, and directed officials to share power shutdown and scheme details on local WhatsApp groups.

Readers can verify official announcements through local district administration updates and agricultural department notifications.