Fertilizer Scam Exposed: Sand and Cement Recovered in Kotpad

Kotpad, 26th Aug 2025: For the past one month, farmers in Kotpad region have not been receiving adequate fertilizer. Meanwhile, serious allegations have surfaced that instead of fertilizer, bags filled with sand and cement are being sold in the name of fertilizer.

Farmers alleged that they are forced to wait from 7 AM till 10 PM at the cooperative department for fertilizer, but even then they are only given one or two bags. In rural areas, private traders are selling fertilizer at inflated prices, but the administration has not taken any action against them. There are also complaints of fake fertilizer being sold in the market.

A few days ago, some farmers from Ghumar panchayat purchased urea and potash fertilizer from a shop in Basuguda, Kotpad. Before applying it in their fields, they opened the bags to check whether the fertilizer was genuine or fake. When they dissolved the potash fertilizer in water, the water turned a different color, leaving only sand at the bottom. On opening another bag, they found it filled with dry cement-like powder and small stones.

Outraged, farmers expressed their resentment and shared videos on social media showing how traders were cheating them. Those who had already applied the fertilizer are now worried, while others have returned the fake bags to the shop.

Farmers complained that despite contacting local agriculture officer Sonali, no concrete action was taken, and even after reporting the matter to the district agriculture officer, they received no satisfactory response.

Currently, a bag of fertilizer is being sold for as high as ₹1800, yet it is often filled with sand or cement. Farmers said that over 500 such fake bags have already been sold. With the kharif season underway, they are struggling to get genuine fertilizer in time.

The farmers demanded that the administration immediately take strict action and inspect all fertilizer shops in Kotpad to prevent further cheating, as the critical stage for fertilizer application and pest control in paddy crops is fast approaching.