Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has issued strict directives to curb the growing menace of fertiliser smuggling from Uttar Pradesh to Nepal. Acting on his instructions, officials have been asked to strengthen surveillance and enforcement across both international and inter-state borders. The action follows frequent reports of black-marketing and diversion of subsidised urea, an essential input for Indian farmers to Nepal, where it is sold at nearly ten times the price in India.
A 25 kg sack of urea, which costs approximately Rs 266 in India due to heavy government subsidies, is being sold in Nepal for over Rs 2,500. This stark price disparity has created a thriving underground network of smugglers and black marketers who illegally divert fertilisers that are meant for Indian farmers. A senior agriculture department official anonymously revealed that recent reports even indicated smuggling operations using bicycles to ferry fertilisers across porous border regions.
The Uttar Pradesh government has intensified its crackdown on cross-border smuggling of fertilisers, with a particular focus on seven high-risk districts that share a boundary with Nepal. These districts: Pilibhit, Bahraich, Lakhimpur Kheri, Shrawasti, Balrampur, Siddharthnagar, and Maharajganj have been identified as vulnerable zones for illegal transport of subsidised urea across the international border.
Acting on the directions of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, the state’s agriculture department has issued strict orders to District Magistrates (DMs) of these areas. In a recent notification from Principal Secretary (Agriculture), Ravindra Kumar, officials have been instructed to implement targeted measures to curb this malpractice. Among the key directives is a ban on issuing registration certificates for fertiliser sales outlets within 5 kilometers of the Nepal border. Such actions are designed to prevent easy access to urea in regions prone to pilferage, thereby restricting its diversion for black marketing or smuggling.
Recognizing the seriousness of the issue, the UP government is implementing a coordinated strategy involving the agriculture department, police, border security forces, and the state investigation bureau. Dedicated teams have been formed to conduct rigorous inspections at border check posts and monitor suspicious movement of fertilisers. “Our top priority is to step up vigilance at the international border,” said a senior official.
The Agriculture Department has also been instructed to validate the actual fertiliser requirement of each district and keep a close watch on abnormally high sales, which could indicate potential diversion.
Expanded Surveillance in Inter-State Border Districts to Prevent Fertiliser Diversion
Alongside the intensified efforts in the seven districts bordering Nepal, the Uttar Pradesh government has also extended its vigilance to 28 inter-state border districts, aiming to curb the illegal movement of fertiliser beyond state lines. Among these are Saharanpur, Bareilly, Gautam Buddha Nagar, Ghaziabad, Banda, Lalitpur, Mathura, and Chandauli, which have been flagged as key transit zones for smuggling activities.
Authorities have been instructed to maintain round-the-clock surveillance in these districts to intercept any attempts to transport subsidised urea into neighbouring states. Officials believe that fertiliser routed through these areas often ends up being diverted to Nepal or hoarded for black marketing. By strengthening monitoring across both international and inter-state borders, the government aims to break the entire supply chain of illegal fertiliser movement and ensure that vital agricultural inputs reach genuine farmers without disruption.
The Uttar Pradesh government’s anti-smuggling drive is not limited to field-level enforcement; it also targets the deep-rooted systemic loopholes that have long facilitated the illegal diversion of fertilisers. Key vulnerabilities include porous international borders lacking robust physical barriers, a shortage of manpower in cooperative societies and non-functional Block Level Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (BPACS), as well as weak digital tracking mechanisms and poor inter-agency coordination.
Recognising these challenges, the government is now working on strengthening the backend infrastructure. Plans are underway to implement GPS-based tracking systems for fertiliser consignments. This will enable real-time monitoring from manufacturing units to the last-mile delivery. Additionally, the use of advanced digital tools is being explored to plug gaps in distribution and improve accountability. This technology-driven approach is expected to ensure greater transparency, traceability, and efficiency in fertiliser supply, safeguarding the interests of genuine farmers and curbing opportunities for misuse.
Fertiliser is classified under the Essential Commodities Act, 1955, giving the government the authority to regulate its production, supply, and distribution. By invoking the provisions of this act, the Yogi government is gearing up to take strict legal action against those involved in pilferage and smuggling.
Additionally, instructions have been issued to strengthen coordination between district administration, local police, and intelligence wings. Regular reviews and surprise inspections are being planned to deter unlawful activities.
The Uttar Pradesh government is taking strong steps to make sure that subsidised fertilisers reach the right people, the farmers and are not misused for illegal profits across borders. By increasing surveillance, improving rules, and encouraging better teamwork between departments, the Yogi government wants to protect farming and keep the fertiliser system honest. As UP government works to stop every possible leak in the supply chain, the next few weeks will show how well this plan works. True success will be seen when farmers get fertilisers without any trouble because fertilisers are vital for Indian agriculture.
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