18-HAZARI: Rising prices of diesel, electricity, DAP and other fertilizers, along with an increase in the cost of berseem seed, have created serious difficulties for farmers engaged in wheat and berseem cultivation in 18-Hazari.
Farmers fear that the rising cost of agricultural inputs could lead to a decline in wheat cultivation, while higher expenses on berseem may also put additional pressure on livestock owners.
According to farmers, the cost of land preparation, diesel, electricity, fertilizers, seeds and other agricultural inputs has continued to increase, making crop cultivation considerably more expensive than in previous years.
They said that the rising prices of DAP and other fertilizers, coupled with increased electricity and fuel costs, were placing an additional financial burden on the farming community.
Farmers particularly expressed concern over the rising cost of berseem seed, fertilizers and irrigation. They said that the increasing input costs were making it increasingly difficult for them to cultivate berseem, which is an important source of green fodder for livestock during the winter season.
Livestock owners said the situation was equally worrying for them as rising cultivation costs could directly affect the availability and price of green fodder. They said they were facing the difficult situation of either spending more on berseem cultivation or finding alternative sources of fodder to meet the nutritional requirements of their livestock.
Farmers and livestock owners said that continued increases in agricultural input prices were making farming and livestock rearing increasingly difficult for small and medium-scale farmers. They feared that if the trend continued, it could negatively affect wheat production as well as the availability of fodder for livestock.
They urged the government to take immediate notice of the rising prices of agricultural inputs, fertilizers, seeds, electricity and diesel and provide practical relief to farmers. They also called for effective measures to ensure that the rising cost of inputs does not discourage wheat and fodder cultivation or further burden the livestock sector.
Reported By: Asif Shahzad I 18-Hazari
