a shortage of fertilizers ahead of the kharif sowing season triggered protest in Haveri district of Karnataka on June 10 this year. A farmer, Siddalingappa Churi, was shot down by the police and 12 others were injured. The protests spread to Hubli, Dharwad, Davengere and Chamrajnagar districts; stone pelting, buses burnt. Two cultivators from Davengere committed suicide. The early onset of the monsoon put farmers in a spot and they did not get the amount of fertilizer they sought. Farmers in Kerala too are reportedly facing similar shortage.
Experts say that during the peak sowing season there is a high demand, but once the demand comes down the problem of shortage can be dealt with. But for farmers, this is hardly an assurance.