Farmers worried as fertilizer prices continue to rise

Farmers are worried about the continuously increasing price of fertilizer - Photo: NP

Mr. Van Viet Thanh's family in Hai Lang commune has 6 sao of rice fields. Although that area is not large for many farmers, it is the main source of income for him to cover his living expenses and raise his 2 school-age children. However, after the recent storm No. 1, all of his family's rice was lost. The worry of restoring production and replanting rice in time for the harvest season has not yet subsided, but another worry has been added when the prices of agricultural materials such as fertilizers and pesticides continue to increase.

“The continuous increase in fertilizer prices has caused us farmers a lot of difficulties. Farming is a low-income job, with 3-4 months of hard work, planting, caring, harvesting, and a good harvest is just a profit. Now the prices of agricultural materials, especially nitrogen fertilizer, have increased “skyrocketingly”, farmers even have to suffer losses if the harvest fails,” Mr. Thanh said sadly.

With over 196 hectares of rice and 60 hectares of crops, after storm No. 1, all 470 members of Thien Tay Cooperative suffered significant damage. Mr. Nguyen Khuynh, Dien Sanh commune, planted about 3 hectares of summer-autumn rice. However, after storm No. 1, he had to mobilize relatives to invest 40-50 million VND to replant almost the entire rice area. Having been attached to the fields for decades, Mr. Khuynh could not help but worry when the price of agricultural materials increased, especially the high price of fertilizers, causing many farmers to lose interest in the fields.

According to Mr. Khuynh, the increase in agricultural material prices has led to an increase in land preparation, harvesting, transportation, etc., making farmers' income from rice even lower. "We are farmers, born and raised with a strong attachment to the fields, so no matter how difficult it is, we do not want to abandon our fields. However, in addition to worrying about pests, storms and rain that damage our crops, we now also have to worry about the price of materials. We only hope that the price of fertilizers and other agricultural materials will soon stabilize so that people can feel secure in their attachment to the fields," said Mr. Khuynh.

Fertilizer is an important input and accounts for a high proportion of agricultural production costs. Therefore, the increase in fertilizer prices has greatly affected production, the competitiveness of agricultural products and the lives of farmers, especially in the difficult context due to the impact of natural disasters.

According to the reporter's investigation, since the beginning of the season, the price of agricultural materials has changed many times in an upward direction. The price of Phu My urea increased from 630,000 VND/50kg bag to 725,000 VND/bag; Phu My NPK 16-16-8 is priced from 750,000 - 760,000 VND/bag.

According to agricultural material suppliers, the main reason for the upward trend in material prices is due to increased costs and processing materials. In particular, from July 1, 2025, VAT on fertilizers will increase from 0% to 5%, plus increased operating, preservation, and labor costs, causing product prices to increase. Compared to the same period last year, fertilizer prices have increased 1.5 times.

Speaking to reporters, Head of the Department of Cultivation and Plant Protection Bui Phuoc Trang said that at a time when agricultural material prices, especially fertilizer prices, are increasing, the Department of Agriculture of Quang Tri province has directed to step up propaganda work, instructing people to limit the amount of inorganic fertilizers, and make the most of organic fertilizers to increase fertility, looseness, and improve the soil.

For households with livestock, take advantage of processing and implementing technical measures to apply manure to help plants grow and develop well, contributing to increasing productivity. “We encourage farmers to replant periodically, choose suitable, short-term crop varieties and regulate appropriate technical solutions; at the same time, establish teams, strengthen inspection of business establishments, avoid speculation and hoarding of fertilizers to push up prices,” Mr. Phuoc Trang informed.

The above temporary adaptation solutions are considered relatively positive to ensure environmental protection, partly solving difficulties for farmers in production when the price of agricultural materials, especially fertilizer prices, has not shown any signs of "cooling down" as at present. However, in the long term, it is necessary for the authorities to intervene to stabilize fertilizer prices soon, ensuring the legitimate rights of farmers.

Nam Phuong-Quoc Nhat

Source: https://baoquangtri.vn/nong-dan-lo-lang-khi-gia-phan-bon-lien-tuc-tang-cao-196327.htm