New Delhi

The government has said it is well prepared with sufficient fertiliser stocks to meet demand for the upcoming Kharif season despite global disruptions caused by the ongoing conflict in West Asia.

Ashwini Vaishnaw, Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Railways, and Electronics and Information Technology, told ANI that India currently has adequate fertiliser inventory to support agricultural requirements for the 2026 Kharif season.

According to the latest data shared by the minister, India’s urea stock stands at about 62 lakh tonnes, which is 10 lakh tonnes higher than the stock available on the same date last year.

The stock of Diammonium Phosphate (DAP) is currently around 25 lakh tonnes — nearly double last year’s level — while the stock of NPK fertilizer has reached 56 lakh tonnes, the highest level recorded so far. The corresponding figure last year was 31 lakh tonnes.

With the Rabi season nearing completion, April is usually considered a lean demand period for fertilisers. Demand typically begins to increase again from May as farmers prepare for Kharif sowing.

Vaishnaw said the government has taken several proactive measures to ensure uninterrupted fertiliser supply.

“As part of the government’s proactive measures, annual plant maintenance has been preponed to March to optimise gas use and production. Global urea tender was also advanced as part of import and supply measures in anticipation of geopolitical uncertainty,” he said.

Domestic production of urea normally averages around 25 lakh tonnes per month, though production in March is expected to be about 17 lakh tonnes due to scheduled plant maintenance.

The government has also strengthened import arrangements. Orders for about 13.5 lakh tonnes of fertiliser were placed in mid-February, and around 90 per cent of these shipments are expected to arrive by the end of March.

Spot gas procurement has also been approved through the Empowered Pool Management Committee, with GAIL (India) Limited expected to conduct the first phase of purchases shortly.

Indian companies have additionally secured long-term supply agreements with major international producers for phosphatic and potassic (P&K) fertilisers.

Under international supply arrangements, a five-year contract for 3 million tonnes of DAP continues with Saudi Arabia without any force majeure disruptions.

Supplies of urea, DAP and NPK from Russia are continuing through shipping routes around the Cape of Good Hope. Fertiliser shipments from Morocco are also arriving through the same route.

Officials expect fertiliser stocks to remain comfortable ahead of the peak Kharif demand period, which usually begins around May 15, provided the country receives a normal and timely monsoon.

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To prevent hoarding and irregularities, the government is closely monitoring fertiliser sales across 652 districts, with systems in place to flag any abnormal purchase patterns.