ISLAMABAD: Fertiliser supplies to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan have reportedly been disrupted following restrictions imposed under a Ministry of Interior notification, raising concerns that the shortage could adversely affect Rabi crop sowing, agricultural productivity and farmers’ incomes.
The restrictions have reportedly prevented fertiliser companies from dispatching supplies to the two provinces at a critical time when farmers require uninterrupted availability of essential agricultural inputs for the ongoing autumn/Rabi sowing season.
The disruption has raised concerns among stakeholders in the agricultural sector, as any delay in fertiliser availability could affect crop yields, increase production costs and expose farmers to substantial financial losses.
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The situation is particularly concerning for farming communities in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, where timely availability of fertiliser is essential to maintaining agricultural productivity and supporting rural livelihoods.
Stakeholders have urged the federal government, particularly the Ministry of Interior, to immediately review the restrictions and allow fertiliser companies to resume dispatches to the affected provinces.
They have proposed that fertiliser movement should be allowed under a controlled and monitored mechanism to ensure uninterrupted supplies while addressing concerns regarding unauthorised movement and possible diversion of fertiliser.
Expedited implementation of the Track and Trace System throughout Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has also been proposed to enable authorities to monitor fertiliser distribution, improve transparency and regulate supplies without disrupting agricultural activities.
Under the proposed arrangement, general permission could be granted for fertiliser dispatches until the Track and Trace System is fully implemented, subject to appropriate monitoring and regulatory oversight.
Stakeholders have maintained that farmers in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan should have the same access to essential agricultural inputs as those in other provinces and that administrative restrictions should not undermine agricultural activities during the critical sowing period.
In a letter to Governor KPK, Iskandar Khan, Senior Director Chashma Sugar Mills has called for urgent consultations between federal and provincial authorities to resolve the issue and prevent further disruption in fertiliser supplies.
Any prolonged interruption could affect farmers’ sowing schedules, compromise crop development and ultimately have implications for food security and agricultural output in the two provinces,” he added.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026