The minister directs the officers to maintain sufficient stocks of seeds and fertilizers to supply the farmers

Sharan Prakash Patil | Photo credit: File Photo

Minister for Medical Education, Skill Development, Entrepreneurship and Livelihood Sharan Prakash Patil has directed agriculture department officials to stock fertilizers and supply them to farmers on demand and take strict action against retailers if they sell fertilizers in the black market and blacklist them.

On Friday, he chaired a meeting in Raichur to review the drinking water problem, monsoon sowing, fodder availability and fertilizer stock in the district.

Mr. Patil, who is also appointed district commissioner for Raichur and Koppal districts to oversee natural disaster management, said the department concerned should take measures to maintain the stock of required seeds and fertilizers by private retailers, with strict instructions for them to display stock boards to enable farmers to easily know how much stock is available.

“Strict legal action must be taken against retailers or anyone caught selling seeds and fertilizers in the block market,” he insisted.

Dr. Patil asked the officers to ensure complete crop insurance. “You should create awareness among farmers about the need to have crop insurance,” he added.

Emphasizing the need to provide drinking water to Raichur city, the minister noted that 202 villages, under 84 gram panchayats, were estimated to be likely to face a drinking water crisis during the summer.

“The task force committee and the nodal officers who have been appointed must effectively address the problem of drinking water by supplying it through tankers or other means including leased borewells,” he said, adding that the tanks that remain unfilled must be filled to ensure drinking water for humans and animals.

Dr. Patil directed Deputy Commissioner Poovith S to take immediate steps to release compensation to people affected by the collapse of houses and damage to human and animal lives as three people and 67 animals lost their lives in rain-related incidents.

Published – 03 Jul 2026 23:55 IST