A strange yet poignant image has emerged from Agar Malwa district in Madhya Pradesh, revealing the reality of the state’s deepening fertilizer crisis. The situation has become so dire that farmers no longer stand in line themselves, but instead write their Aadhaar cards, land documents, and even stones on which they place their names.
Every morning, before sunrise, crowds of farmers gather outside fertilizer distribution centers. There are more papers than people in the crowd. Farmers have written their names on stones and placed them in line to avoid missing their turn in line and maintain their identity. These images are now circulating on social media, raising questions about the entire system.
In fact, only 40 farmers are being given coupons each day from the Agar Malwa district food distribution center. These coupons will be used to distribute fertilizer later. As soon as the coupon distribution employee arrives, a stampede-like situation ensues. Farmers jostle, get angry, and return disappointed.
Women also queue for fertilizer
Women are no exception to this crisis. They leave their household chores as early as 6-7 a.m. and line up, placing their documents or stones in line. These aren’t just papers, but the hopes of farmers, lying strewn on the streets under the open sky. This story isn’t just about Agar Malwa, but a reflection of the ground reality across the state, where farmers are forced to keep their identities on the ground.
The Truth of ‘Farm-to-Farm Facilities’
The government may talk about providing “farm facilities,” but the ground reality is that farmers are leaving their basic identities on the streets, waiting for fertilizer. The big question now is: will these lines ever end? Or will farmers continue to rely on the system?