Fertiliser Availability Remains Robust: Supply Exceeds Requirement Across All Major Fertilisers in India
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📌 Summary:
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Department of Fertilizers confirmed India's fertiliser security remains strong with availability exceeding requirement across all major fertilisers in Rabi 2025–26 (October 2025 – March 2026)
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Key data for end-of-Rabi season: Urea — 257.59 LMT available vs. 196.06 LMT required; DAP — 75.40 LMT vs. 53.43 LMT; MOP — 19.64 LMT vs. 15.69 LMT; NPK — 117.44 LMT vs. 82.38 LMT; SSP — 50.10 LMT vs. 31.19 LMT
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India is the world's second-largest consumer of fertilisers; the government provides substantial subsidies to ensure affordable prices for farmers — Urea is sold at a statutorily fixed price far below market rates
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The release counters reports of fertiliser shortages ahead of the Kharif season 2026
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India imports significant quantities of DAP, MOP, and Urea — subject to global supply chain disruptions; domestic production of Urea has been ramped up through new plants (Ramagundam, Gorakhpur, Sindri, Barauni)
🎯 UPSC Relevance: GS3 — Indian Economy (agriculture inputs, fertiliser subsidies, food security); GS3 — Agriculture (Kharif/Rabi cropping, fertiliser policy)
📝 Prelims Facts:
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Urea availability (Rabi 2025-26): 257.59 LMT vs requirement 196.06 LMT
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India: World's 2nd largest fertiliser consumer
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Urea sold at statutory fixed price (below market rate) to farmers
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LMT = Lakh Metric Tonnes
🔑 Key Term: Nutrient-Based Subsidy (NBS) — A subsidy scheme for P&K fertilisers (DAP, MOP, NPK, SSP) where a fixed per-kg subsidy is given based on nutrient content; Urea is separately controlled under statutory pricing
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