Government Confirms Sufficient Fertiliser Stock for Farmers' Needs
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New Delhi, March 27 (NationPress) The government has confirmed to Parliament that there are sufficient fertiliser reserves to fulfill the needs of farmers throughout the current Rabi 2025–26 season and beyond.
In a written response to a Lok Sabha inquiry, Minister of State for Chemicals and Fertilisers, Anupriya Patel, noted that as of March 23, the nation holds 53.08 lakh metric tonnes (LMT) of urea, 21.80 LMT of DAP, 7.98 LMT of MOP, and 48.38 LMT of NPKS in stock, ensuring reliable supply for agricultural demands.
India relies on imports of urea and phosphatic fertilisers to meet the agricultural sector's requirements. To maintain a consistent and reliable supply, considering this reliance, the Department of Fertilisers has facilitated long-term agreements between Indian firms KRIBHCO, IPL, and CIL with Saudi Arabia’s M/s Maaden. This agreement entails the annual supply of 31 lakh metric tonnes (LMT) of DAP and NPK over a five-year period from 2025-26 to 2029-30, according to the minister.
Regarding urea, the government introduced the New Investment Policy (NIP) in 2012 and its amendment in 2014 to encourage new investments and achieve self-sufficiency in urea production. Under the NIP-2012, six new urea units have been established, including four units set up via Joint Venture Companies (JVC) of nominated PSUs and two units by private firms.
Urea production in India has surged from 225 LMT annually in 2014-15 to an unprecedented 314.07 LMT in 2023-24. The production volume for 2024-25 was 306.67 LMT.
Among the units established through JVCs are the Ramagundam urea unit of Ramagundam Fertilisers and Chemicals Ltd (RFCL) in Telangana, along with three urea units in Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, and Bihar—Gorakhpur, Sindri, and Barauni, operated by Hindustan Urvarak & Rasayan Limited (HURL).
Furthermore, the minister stated that the privately established units include the Panagarh urea unit of Matix Fertilisers and Chemicals Ltd. in West Bengal, and the Gadepan-III urea unit of Chambal Fertilisers and Chemicals Ltd. in Rajasthan. Each of these units boasts an installed capacity of 12.7 lakh metric tonnes per annum (LMTPA) and utilizes the latest energy-efficient technologies.