Did the Centre's Fertiliser Supplies to States Hit a Record High of 530 Lakh Metric Tons in April-December?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
New Delhi, Jan 30 (NationPress) The transfer of fertilisers from the Centre to various states via Indian Railways has achieved an unprecedented milestone in the financial year 2025-26, with total deliveries surpassing 530.16 lakh metric tons during the first nine months (April-December), marking the first instance of exceeding the 500 lakh metric ton threshold in this period, as per an official announcement on Friday.
This figure signifies a remarkable 12.2 percent increase compared to the same timeframe in FY 2024–25, and is 8.5 percent higher than the previous peak recorded in FY 2023–24.
The government has ensured that all essential fertilisers are readily available across states, with a supply of 350.45 lakh metric tons of urea, surpassing the stipulated requirement of 312.40 lakh metric tons for the first nine months of FY 2025-26. In addition, major P&K (phosphorous and potassium) fertilisers, including DAP, MOP, and NPKS, saw total supplies reach 287.69 lakh metric tons, exceeding the demand of 252.81 lakh metric tons, thereby guaranteeing uninterrupted availability.
The expedited and efficient movement of fertiliser rakes has facilitated timely supplies to states, ensuring farmers faced no shortages during critical cultivation phases. The Department of Fertilisers collaborated closely with the Ministry of Railways, stating that such coordinated efforts have significantly contributed to the ample availability of fertilisers nationwide.
Throughout this period, the average rake loading on Indian Railways escalated to 72 rakes per day in July 2025, climbed to 78 rakes per day in August 2025, and reached 80 rakes per day in September 2025, according to official reports.
Urea rake movements increased to 10,841 rakes, marking an 8 percent rise from the prior year, while P&K fertiliser movements totaled 8,806 rakes, reflecting an 18 percent growth. Enhanced coordination with the Ministry of Railways, ports, state governments, and fertiliser manufacturers ensured smooth and timely delivery to states during peak agricultural seasons.
The government prioritizes the timely availability of fertilisers for farmers. This improved collaboration between the Ministry of Railways and the Department of Fertilisers during the Kharif 2025 and the ongoing Rabi season has been clearly evident on the ground. States have also implemented targeted measures to ensure last-mile availability to farmers.