Telangana Agriculture Department asks farmers not to buy spurious fertilisers

Hyderabad: The Telangana Agriculture Department has cautioned farmers against purchasing spurious fertilisers, advising them to buy agricultural inputs only from authorised dealers as the kharif season gathers pace across the state. The advisory comes amid reports of counterfeit and substandard fertilisers being sold in parts of Telangana, raising concerns over crop health and farmers' investments. Agriculture officials have urged farmers to verify the source of fertilisers before making purchases and to insist on a valid cash memo or bill. They said invoices would help farmers establish proof of purchase in case of complaints related to product quality. The department has also advised farmers to check details such as the manufacturer's name, batch number, manufacturing date, expiry date and certification on fertiliser bags before buying them. Officials warned that the use of spurious fertilisers could adversely affect crop growth, reduce yields and lead to financial losses for farmers. They said genuine fertilisers should be purchased only from licensed dealers authorised by the Agriculture Department. The department has intensified inspections of fertiliser manufacturing units, warehouses and retail outlets across the state to curb the sale of counterfeit products. Officials said strict action would be taken against those found manufacturing, stocking or selling...