Chikkaballapur, July 18 -- Hundreds of farmers staged a protest against an agricultural input dealer in Chikkaballapur district of Karnataka, alleging that they were supplied counterfeit Mono Potassium Phosphate (MKP) fertiliser instead of the genuine product, resulting in fears of crop losses and financial hardship.

The protest erupted at Nandi Cross after farmers accused the Sri Bhoganandeeshwara Krishi Raitha Utpadaka Company of selling fake water-soluble MKP fertiliser in the name of a reputed brand. The company had been operating under the slogan "By Farmers, For Farmers, With Farmers" and had earned the trust of cultivators in the region.

According to the farmers, they had purchased MKP fertiliser manufactured by ICL for use in ho...