The Centre has confirmed that adequate fertiliser supplies have been maintained for farmers across the country, with no shortage of urea or DAP recorded over the last three years or during the ongoing Kharif 2026 season, Parliament was informed on Friday, 7 August 2026. The assurance came from Minister of State for Chemicals and Fertilisers, Anupriya Patel, in a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha.

How Fertiliser Supply Is Planned and Monitored

Before each cropping season, the Department of Agriculture, in consultation with all state governments, assesses state-wise and month-wise fertiliser requirements. Based on this assessment, the department issues a monthly supply plan and allocates adequate quantities to each state. The movement of all major subsidised fertilisers is tracked in real time through an online platform called the Integrated Fertiliser Management System (iFMS).

The government also coordinates regularly with the Ministry of Railways to ensure sufficient rakes and priority freight movement for fertiliser evacuation to states. State governments are advised to coordinate with manufacturers and importers for timely placement of indents, the minister noted.

Subsidised Prices for Urea and DAP

Under the Urea Subsidy Scheme, urea is supplied to farmers at a statutorily notified maximum retail price of ₹242 per 45-kg bag (exclusive of neem-coating charges and applicable taxes). The difference between the delivered cost at the farm gate and the net market realisation is provided as subsidy directly to the urea manufacturer or importer by the Centre.

For DAP, the government has maintained an affordable price of ₹1,350 per 50-kg bag for Kharif 2026. Special provisions of ₹3,500 per metric tonne — covering costs from factory gate to farm gate, international price fluctuations, and the GST component — have been extended to both imported and domestic DAP, as well as imported TSP, over and above the Nutrient Based Subsidy (NBS) rates.

Reducing Import Dependence and Promoting Nano Fertilisers

The gap between domestic production and demand for urea and other fertilisers is currently bridged through imports, which are finalised well in advance to ensure timely availability. To reduce dependence on imported phosphatic fertilisers, the government is encouraging domestic production through a reasonable MRP framework, according to the minister.

The government is also actively promoting nano fertilisers — including Nano Urea and Nano DAP — through awareness camps, webinars, field demonstrations, Kisan Sammelans, and regional-language films. These products are made available at Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samridhi Kendras (PMKSKs). Notably, no government subsidy is provided for nano fertilisers.

Action Against Overpricing and Black Marketing

The minister also highlighted steps taken to curb overpricing, black marketing, and hoarding of fertilisers. The Department of Agriculture, in consultation with state governments, monitors enforcement actions taken by states against such malpractices on a weekly basis. This comes amid persistent concerns in some regions about retailers charging above the notified MRP during peak sowing periods.

With the kharif sowing season at its peak, the government's ability to sustain subsidised supply chains — particularly amid volatile global fertiliser prices — will remain a key test of agricultural policy in the months ahead.