India has strengthened fertiliser inventories ahead of the Kharif sowing season as the government moves to secure agricultural supplies amid global uncertainty and rising international fertiliser prices.
Officials said both:
- Domestic fertiliser production
- Timely imports
have helped maintain comfortable stock levels before the start of peak agricultural demand.
Fertiliser Demand for Kharif 2026
The Department of Agriculture has estimated total fertiliser demand for the Kharif 2026 season at:
- 390.54 lakh tonnes
Current fertiliser inventory available across the country stands at:
- 200.12 lakh tonnes
This represents:
- More than 50% of projected seasonal demand
Officials noted this is significantly higher than the usual pre-season inventory benchmark of around:
- 33% of expected demand
The government stated that overall fertiliser availability remains stable ahead of the sowing cycle beginning in June.
Domestic Production and Imports Boost Supply
India has strengthened supply through:
- Higher domestic manufacturing
- Increased imports
Current additions include:
- Domestic production: Nearly 95 lakh tonnes
- Imports received: Around 22.60 lakh tonnes
Total additional availability:
- Around 117.6 lakh tonnes
The government also confirmed procurement of:
- 13.5 lakh tonnes of DAP (Di-Ammonium Phosphate)
- 9 lakh tonnes of NPK fertilisers
to support uninterrupted supply during the peak Kharif season.
Raw Material Availability Remains Stable
Officials stated that:
- Availability of fertiliser raw materials remains comfortable
This is important because India continues to rely on imported:
- Natural gas
- Phosphatic inputs
- Potash-based materials
for fertiliser manufacturing.
India Expands Domestic Fertiliser Production
India has significantly increased domestic fertiliser production over recent years.
Total fertiliser production:
- 433.29 lakh tonnes in 2021
- 524.62 lakh tonnes in 2025
This includes:
- Urea
- DAP
- NPK complexes
- SSP (Single Super Phosphate)
Urea production growth:
- 225 lakh tonnes in FY15
- 306.67 lakh tonnes in FY25
Despite higher domestic production, India still imports substantial quantities to meet agricultural demand.
Urea imports in the previous financial year:
- More than 100 lakh tonnes
Fertiliser Subsidy Allocation
The government has allocated:
- ₹1.71 lakh crore
as fertiliser subsidy for FY27.
The subsidy helps maintain controlled retail prices for farmers despite fluctuations in international fertiliser markets.
Current subsidised prices:
- Neem-coated urea: ₹242 per 45 kg bag
- DAP: ₹1,350 per 50 kg bag
Officials indicated that subsidy costs may rise further if global fertiliser prices continue increasing.
Importance of the Kharif Season
The Kharif crop season is one of India’s most important agricultural cycles and includes crops such as:
- Rice
- Maize
- Soybean
- Cotton
- Pulses
Fertiliser availability during this period is critical for:
- Crop productivity
- Rural income stability
- Food security
- Inflation management
Conclusion
India has entered the Kharif 2026 sowing season with strong fertiliser inventories supported by higher domestic production and imports. With projected demand estimated at 390 lakh tonnes, the government is maintaining close monitoring of supply conditions to ensure uninterrupted availability amid global price volatility and geopolitical uncertainty.
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