SWABI, Nov 14: The farmers of the district have threatened to launch a protest movement if government failed to control prices of fertilisers.

They alleged that increase in prices of fertilisers during the sowing season was a big conspiracy against them. “The unbridled increase in prices of fertilisers has forced us to give up its use but it will badly affect the wheat yield in the upcoming harvesting season,” they said.

They complained that they had been facing the worst financial crunch because their crops, fields and other infrastructure had been washed away by the recent devastating flood. They said that instead of receiving financial assistance from the quarters concerned they were facing massive increase in the prices of pesticides and fertilisers.

“In such a situation how is it possible for us to survive and meet the needs of our families,” they asked. They criticised the government for its failure to help them in the critical times.

The growers alleged that increasing prices of fertilisers during the sowing season of wheat was a big conspiracy. They said that a few people did not want that the small farmers and the country become self-sufficient in wheat production.

The farmers said that just a few days before the commencing of wheat cultivation season the DAP was available in the market at Rs2,600 per bag but it suddenly jumped to Rs3,200 and the traders said that more increase in the upcoming days could not be ruled out.

“I don’t know what to do. How we confront the ever-increasing prices of fertilizers. Gone are the days when many families were earning their livelihood in the farming. People have been forced to leave the farming profession due to flawed policies of the government,” said Nooral Zaman of Maneri Bala.

Similarly, the price of super phosphate fertiliser has been increased from Rs450 to Rs800 per bag. “The increasing prices (of fertilisers) have badly affected us. The dilemma of the farmers is that they cannot influence the government policy while the fertiliser manufactures and traders have such power,” said Khani Gul of Pirtab region.

The farmers said that it was responsibility of government to keep fertilisers prices under control, especially in the post flood period.

Leaders of Anjuman-i-Kashthkaran and Kisan Board said that the government should take steps for reversing the fertiliser prices. They threatened to launch protest if government failed to control the prices of fertilisers.