Fertilizer smuggling Maharajganj continues despite strict security along the India–Nepal border. Loopholes in the system allow smugglers to obtain fertiliser using farmers’ land records, causing heavy losses to genuine farmers.
Private fertiliser shops record land details in the names of real farmers. However, dealers divert the fertiliser to traders for large profits. Smugglers then transport the stock across the border and sell it in Nepal.
Traders Exploit Gaps Despite Administrative Checks
Authorities have tightened monitoring from cooperative societies to the India–Nepal border to curb fertiliser smuggling. However, traders continue their operations. Sources say private fertiliser dealers play a key role in this illegal activity.
Dealers allegedly manipulate land data of genuine farmers and sell fertiliser to smugglers at higher prices. In recent days, the administration has taken action against several accused in border areas. Yet the problem persists.
At government cooperative societies, officials issue passbooks after farmers deposit fees. These passbooks record land details as per official land records. For purchases from private shops, farmers must obtain a token from the local revenue official. The token allows fertiliser distribution based on landholding size.
Fertilizer Sold at Higher Prices, Smuggled to Nepal
According to sources, farmers usually buy one or two bags of fertiliser using Aadhaar cards and land records. Dealers misuse this data and sell fertiliser to smugglers at ₹450–500 per bag instead of ₹270.
Smugglers move the fertiliser to border villages. When they get an opportunity, they transport it to Nepal. There, they sell it at ₹1,100–1,200 per bag, nearly double the price.
Sources claim a large fertilizer smuggling Maharajganj network operates in Nautanwa, Kolhui, Sonauli, Parsa Malik, Bargadwa, and Thoothibari. Farmers allege that some officials and private dealers support this network.
Farmers Suffer as Subsidised Fertilizer Fails to Reach Them
Local farmers Krishna, Bhola, Ramsurat, and Kamlesh said fertiliser is issued in farmers’ names, but records show unusually high sales. On the ground, farmers continue to struggle. They believe a large portion of fertiliser enters the black market.
District Agriculture Officer Shailendra Pratap Singh denied irregularities. He said officials distribute fertiliser strictly as per rules and have already issued notices after inspecting shops.
Smuggling Increases Costs for Farmers
Farmers said the government supplies fertiliser meant for them, but smugglers divert it before it reaches genuine users. As a result, farmers fail to get subsidised fertiliser on time. This increases cultivation costs and causes distress.
Meanwhile, smugglers continue to earn large profits daily. Farmers blame system loopholes and weak enforcement for the ongoing crisis.
