Agri ministry introduces mobile app for online fertiliser booking to keep check on black marketing

Pune: Farmers may soon be able to book fertilisers through their mobile phones, as the Union ministry of agriculture and farmers’ welfare has developed a new app aimed at making fertiliser distribution more transparent and reducing black marketing.

The mobile app — Fertilisers Sale Application System — is currently being tested in Maharashtra, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat and Telangana.

In Maharashtra, the pilot project has been underway for the past week in Ashtapur village in Haveli taluka of Pune district.

At present, farmers buy fertilisers through local retailers and distributors. Many complain about long waiting hours, stock shortages and black marketing of subsidised fertilisers during the monsoon season.

Officials believe the new digital system can help address these problems.

Under the new system, farmers will be able to check fertiliser shops within a 20-km radius through the app and see which fertilisers are in stock.

Farmers can then book the required fertiliser online without physically visiting the shop. Once the booking is confirmed, the fertiliser stock will be reserved in the farmer’s name. The farmer can collect it from the selected shop within three days after making payment either online or directly at the shop.

Officials associated with the project said Aadhaar verification will be compulsory for registration on the app. After booking, farmers will receive a QR code on their mobile phones. This code will be scanned at the fertiliser shop before delivery of the stock.

“During the trials conducted over the last few days, 124 farmers from the village purchased 206 bags of fertilisers using the app. The trial was successful, and it will soon be implemented in other regions of the state,” Sunil Borkar, director of agriculture (Quality Control and Input), told TOI.

Meanwhile, a section of farmers said the execution of the online process may be difficult and complicated for many users. They said those familiar with technology would be able to use it easily, but small and marginal farmers may not benefit fully. The authorities, they added, need to understand the ground realities well before introducing such systems.

“It is important to have a robust system in place. The authorities concerned need to keep a close watch on retailers who hoard fertilisers to sell them at higher prices whenever there is a shortage in the market. Regular stock checks are essential to prevent hoarding,” said farmer activist Shantaram Sarvade from Khed tehsil.

Agriculture department officials said the app would help bring transparency to fertiliser sales and reduce illegal hoarding and diversion of subsidised stock.

“Farmers will know exactly where fertilisers are available and how much stock is left. This can reduce unnecessary crowding and panic buying,” an official said.

Officials said the system may be implemented experimentally in two districts from May 29, though the names of the districts are yet to be finalised.

“The app is also expected to help authorities monitor fertiliser sales digitally. Officials will be able to track the movement of stock and identify irregularities more easily since all bookings and transactions will be recorded online. It is also linked to the existing integrated fertiliser management system,” another official said.

Farmers and local agriculture workers in the pilot area have welcomed the initiative. Many believe it could reduce the harassment faced by farmers during peak farming seasons.

Santosh Kotwal, a farmer who participated in the trial, told TOI, “I could book fertilisers at a nearby retailer shop. It is handy for booking if you know how to use a smartphone. However, in many villages, network connectivity is a major concern. In that scenario, the authorities should ensure support for small and marginal farmers.”

Santosh Dhamane, another farmer who participated in the trial, said, “In many villages, farmers stand in queues for hours only to learn that the stock has finished. If the app shows real-time availability, it will save both time and money.”