Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Jun 19 (PTI) Jalna MP Kalyan Kale has urged the Centre to suspend the newly introduced ‘Framework for Fertilizer Sale’ mobile application for the current Kharif season, claiming technical issues and poor digital literacy among farmers.
In a letter to Union Minister for Chemicals and Fertilizers J P Nadda, he said that the app, implemented on a pilot basis in Maharashtra’s Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar district, has triggered serious concerns among farmers, fertiliser retailers, and Krishi Seva Kendra operators.
The app has been introduced to streamline the booking and distribution of subsidized fertilizers like Urea and DAP.
Kale claimed in his letter that frequent technical glitches arise during the booking process. He said that a lack of technical knowledge and digital literacy among farmers is compounding the problem. He also claimed that users and vendors were not given proper training before the introduction of the app.
The Congress leader is also a member of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Chemicals and Fertilisers.
The MP called the Kharif season a critical period during which the timely availability of fertiliser is of utmost importance. “Due to the current technical issues (in the application), farmers might not receive fertilisers on time. This could adversely affect agricultural production and lead to financial stress for farmers,” he wrote in the letter.
Kale demanded the temporary suspension of the ‘Framework for Fertilizer Sale’ app with immediate effect for the duration of the current Kharif season. He also called for a thorough review during the suspension period to address the problems, technical flaws, and practical grievances faced by sellers. He said the application should be reintroduced in a more efficient manner. PTI AW NR
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