New Delhi, 11 May (H.S.): The Central government has said that India has sufficient fertiliser reserves to meet the needs of the upcoming Kharif sowing season. Addressing concerns amid the West Asia crisis, the government assured farmers that fertiliser supplies will remain uninterrupted throughout the season.

Aparna S. Sharma, Joint Secretary in the Fertilisers Division of the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilisers, said this during an inter‑ministerial press briefing in New Delhi on Monday. She confirmed that the maximum retail prices (MRP) for key fertilisers remain unchanged, and India’s overall fertiliser security situation is satisfactory and well‑managed.

Sharma noted that the Department of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare has assessed the fertiliser requirements for the Kharif season, and the current stock levels stand at over 51% of that estimate. This is “well above” the normal buffer level of around 33% that the ministry typically maintains, she added.

Despite the West Asia tensions, domestic fertiliser production has risen to 76.78 lakh metric tonnes (LMT), while imports have reached 19.94 LMT, Sharma said. Together, these have added nearly 97 LMT to the country’s fertiliser availability since the crisis escalated.

She clarified that MRPs for major fertilisers remain stable, ensuring affordability for farmers.

The Agriculture Department has projected a total Kharif fertiliser requirement of 390.54 LMT. To meet this:

-7 LMT of NPK Complex fertilisers have been secured from global sources,

-12 LMT of DAP (Diammonium Phosphate),

-4 LMT of Triple Super Phosphate (TSP),

-3 LMT of Ammonium Sulphate.

These reserves will ensure sufficient availability during the peak demand period, expected to begin in the next 15–20 days.

A high‑powered group of secretaries is conducting weekly reviews to monitor stock levels, distribution and supply chains. Sharma said the ministry had previously reported that domestic production in March–April 2026 totalled 67.76 LMT, including:

Urea: 40.72 LMT,

DAP: 5.39 LMT,

NPK: 13.65 LMT,

SSP: 8 LMT.

The government’s proactive import strategy and robust domestic output have ensured that fertiliser availability remains comfortable, with no immediate plans for price adjustments. Sharma urged farmers to proceed with Kharif sowing without any apprehension, assuring them that logistics and distribution networks are fully prepared to deliver fertilisers to every corner of the country.

With Kharif sowing set to gain momentum soon, the ministry’s buffer stocks and monitoring mechanisms are positioned to prevent any supply disruptions, even as global uncertainties persist.

---------------

Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar