Bhubaneswar, Aug. 10 -- Farmers in Nilagiri block of Odisha's Balasore district have alleged that fake fertiliser was distributed among them, triggering protests during the district administration's joint public hearing. The farmers demanded a thorough investigation into the matter and strict action against those responsible for supplying the alleged spurious fertiliser.

According to the farmers, the fertiliser was supplied a few days ago to farmers in Begunia and Machhua panchayats through ORMAS, with the assistance of APOs and Krushi Mitras.

However, after using or examining the fertiliser, some farmers raised doubts over its authenticity and alleged that the product supplied to them was not genuine.

The farmers alleged that they had...