Bhubaneswar, April 18 (IANS) Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has urged the central government to open three new railway rake points and develop infrastructure in the existing rake points for smooth and timely supply of fertilisers to the farmers in the state.
He said lack of the required number of railway rake points is a major stumbling block in timely supply of the required quantity of fertilisers to the farmers, especially during the peak period.
"I request you that steps may be taken for opening of three new rake points, provision of two point rakes in six places and development of infrastructure in the existing rake points for smooth and timely supply of fertilizers to the farmers of the state," said the chief minister to union Chemicals and Fertilisers Minister Ananth Kumar in a letter, made available to media on Monday.
He said the state is also facing operational difficulties in the existing 21 rake points due to inadequate infrastructure facilities.
Besides, the state government has proposed establishment of three new rake points at Bamur (Angul), Rengali (Sambalpur) and Dunguripalli (Subarnapur) and provision of two point rakes in six places, he added.
The chief minister said with the coverage of increased area under high yielding and hybrid varieties in the state, there is a need for enhancing the consumption level of fertilizers, both chemical and organic, to ensure sustainable crop production and higher productivity.
"Keeping this in view, the state government has launched a programme to increase fertiliser consumption to a level of 90 kg per hectare in the next five years," he added.
