The Union government on Monday assured farmers that there is ample stock of fertilizers to meet the demand for the upcoming Kharif season and urged them not to resort to panic buying .
The clarification comes amid reports of localized shortages and long queues outside some retail outlets in parts of Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Rajasthan, triggered by concerns over global supply disruptions due to the ongoing West Asia crisis .
Current stock position
Addressing a press conference, Union Minister of Chemicals and Fertilizers Mansukh Mandaviya said the government has made adequate arrangements for fertilizer supply .
As of May 25, the available stock of urea in the country stands at 220 lakh tonnes, DAP at 80 lakh tonnes, and NPK at 60 lakh tonnes . These quantities, he said, are sufficient to meet the Kharif demand.
In addition, the government has placed advance orders for imports to bridge any gap. The West Asia crisis has not affected India’s fertilizer imports so far, though shipping insurance costs have risen, officials said .
No need for panic
“There is no shortage of fertilizers. We have enough stock to cover the entire Kharif season. Farmers should not believe in rumours or indulge in panic buying,” Mandaviya said .
He warned that panic buying could create artificial scarcity and lead to hoarding, which the government will strictly monitor. The Ministry has activated its online monitoring system to track district-level stocks and sales in real time .
PM-PRANAM scheme reduces chemical use
The Minister also highlighted the impact of the PM-PRANAM scheme, under which 14 states have reduced chemical fertilizer consumption by 15.14 lakh metric tonnes in 2023-24 . The scheme incentivizes states to cut usage, with those that succeed receiving 50% of the fertilizer subsidy saved.
“Because of PM-PRANAM, we have seen a reduction in chemical fertilizer consumption in several states. This has eased pressure on our import requirements,” an official said .
Promotion of nano fertilizers
The government is also aggressively promoting nano urea and nano DAP to reduce dependence on conventional fertilizers . IFFCO has conducted nearly 3,000 Nano DAP and 448 Nano Urea field trials across all 15 agro-climatic zones of the country .
“Nano fertilizers are more efficient. They reduce the quantity required and lower the subsidy burden. We are expanding their production capacity,” Mandaviya said .
Import contingency plans
While the Strait of Hormuz remains effectively closed, India has diversified its import sources. Officials said DAP imports are being sourced from Jordan, Morocco, and Saudi Arabia, while potash imports continue from Russia, Belarus, and Canada .
The Ministry has also built a buffer stock of key fertilizers at major ports to safeguard against supply disruptions .
Natural farming push
Beyond chemical fertilizers, the government is promoting natural farming as a long-term solution. The area under natural farming has expanded to over 12 lakh hectares, with 8 lakh farmers adopting zero-budget techniques .
“Our goal is to reduce chemical fertilizer use while maintaining productivity. PM-PRANAM, nano fertilizers, and natural farming are all steps in that direction,” the Minister added .
What farmers should do
The government has advised farmers to:
- Get soil health cards and apply fertilizers based on soil test recommendations
- Use neem-coated urea for better efficiency
- Consider nano fertilizers for lower quantity and higher absorption
- Not stockpile fertilizers beyond immediate requirement
For any complaints about shortage or black marketing, farmers can call the Ministry’s toll-free helpline 1800-180-1551 .
The bottom line
With the Kharif sowing season set to begin in June, the government’s message is clear: there is enough to go around. Panic buying is not just unnecessary — it could create the very problem it seeks to avoid.
