India has ample fertiliser stocks to meet farmers' needs: Top official
New Delhi, May 11
India's fertiliser security remains strong and stable with the government having scaled up domestic production and imports to ensure availability consistently exceeds requirements of farmers across all major categories amid the Middle East crisis, a top official of the Department of Fertilisers said on Monday.
The country currently holds a comfortable stock of 199.65 LMT, covering more than 51 per cent of the seasonal demand, which is a sharp increase from the usual buffer levels of approximately 33 per cent at this time of the year. This reflects improved advance stocking and efficient logistics management, Additional Secretary, Department of Fertilisers, Aparna S. Sharma, said at a press conference here.
Following a recent crisis period, domestic production and imports have been scaled up rapidly, adding approximately 97 lakh metric tonnes (LMT) to the total availability. Domestic production alone contributed 76.78 LMT, while imports reaching Indian ports accounted for 19.94 LMT, she explained.
To ensure zero shortage during peak demand, Indian fertiliser companies have initiated aggregated global tenders for 12 LMT of DAP, 4 LMT of TSP, and 3 LMT of ammonium sulphate. Additionally, tenders for raw materials, including 5.36 LMT of Ammonia and 5.94 LMT of Sulphur, are currently in progress, Sharma said.
The government also confirmed that approximately 7 LMT of NPKs secured from outside SOH are expected to arrive at Indian ports through May and June.
In a major relief for the farming community, the government announced there is no change in the Maximum Retail Price (MRP) of major fertilisers. The Department of Fertilisers continues to review input availability for Urea and P&K production regularly and is clearing subsidy bills on a weekly basis to maintain supply chain liquidity.
The Empowered Group of Secretaries has held eight meetings to date to navigate availability challenges, ensuring that farmers receive fertilisers at affordable rates without disruption.
— IANS
Reader Comments
The weekly subsidy clearance is a smart move to keep the supply chain liquid. But I hope the government also focuses on promoting organic alternatives and reducing dependency on chemical fertilisers in the long run. That would truly empower our farmers.
Great planning by the department! The increase from 33% to 51% buffer is impressive. But we need to ensure these stocks actually reach the small and marginal farmers in remote areas, not just get cornered by middlemen. Implementation is key! 🔑
While the stock position looks good, I'm still concerned about the rising global prices due to the Middle East crisis. The government should also consider providing additional subsidies or direct cash transfers to farmers to offset any future price shocks. Abhi se plan karna hoga!
This is exactly the kind of proactive governance we need. The fact that there is no change in MRP of major fertilisers is a huge relief for our farming community. Kudos to the Empowered Group of Secretaries for the eight meetings to ensure smooth supply! 🇮🇳
One small criticism: while the buffer stock is good, the government should also invest in soil health cards and precision farming techniques. Simply dumping fertilisers isn't sustainable. We need to educate farmers on balanced use. Otherwise, it's just a temporary fix.
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.