**Executive Summary**
This document is a response to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 2393 regarding the allocation of fertilizers in Punjab, answered on February 13, 2026. It details the availability and distribution of urea, DAP, and NPK under the 'One Nation One Fertilizer' initiative. It also discusses the Nutrient Based Subsidy (NBS) and Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) systems, and the PM-PRANAM scheme.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Fertilizer Availability in Punjab:**
* Urea, DAP, and NPK availability in Punjab has remained adequate during 2022-23, 2023-24, and 2024-25.
* Annexure provides details regarding the requirement, availability, and sales of these fertilizers during that period.
* **Nutrient Based Subsidy (NBS) and Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT):**
* 100% subsidy on various fertilizer grades is released to fertilizer companies based on actual sales to beneficiaries via Aadhaar authentication through PoS devices.
* Fertilizers are supplied to farmers in Punjab at subsidized rates on a no-denial basis.
* Funds are not allocated or disbursed district-wise or state-wise.
* Details of expenditure under NBS during 2022-23 to 2024-25 for Indigenous and Imported P&K is included, totaling ₹204131.80 crores.
* **Electronic Point of Sale (PoS) Machines:**
* No supply/transaction-related issues have been reported from Shivalik and border districts regarding mandatory use of PoS machines.
* **PM-PRANAM Scheme:**
* The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) approved the PM-PRANAM scheme on June 28, 2023, to promote sustainable fertilizer use and organic farming.
* Incentives are provided to States/UTs for reduction of chemical fertilizer consumption.
* 50% of the fertilizer subsidy saved is provided as an incentive; 95% to the State, and 5% for monitoring and other purposes.
* PM-PRANAM is funded from savings of fertilizer subsidies.
* States/UTs are required to submit action plans and utilization certificates.
* Punjab's Department of Agriculture is organizing awareness camps to promote balanced fertilizer use and educating farmers.
* Soil Health Card Scheme is used to advise farmers on judicious fertilizer use.
* The State is promoting organic farming to reduce dependence on chemical fertilizers.
**Impact Analysis**
**Stakeholder: Farmers in Punjab**
* **Impact:** Ensured availability of subsidized fertilizers through DBT and PoS systems. Benefit from awareness camps and soil health cards promoting balanced fertilizer use and organic farming.
* **Action Required:** To utilize fertilizers judiciously based on soil health card recommendations, adopt sustainable practices, and participate in awareness programs.
**Stakeholder: Fertilizer Manufacturing/Importing Companies**
* **Impact:** Receive 100% subsidy based on actual sales to beneficiaries through Aadhaar authentication via PoS devices.
* **Action Required:** Ensure accurate sales reporting through PoS devices and maintain compliance with DBT regulations.
**Stakeholder: State Government of Punjab (Department of Agriculture)**
* **Impact:** Responsible for organizing awareness camps, promoting balanced fertilizer use, and submitting action plans and utilization certificates for PM-PRANAM scheme.
* **Action Required:** Implement and monitor the PM-PRANAM scheme, conduct awareness programs, and submit required documentation.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers: Primary government body responsible for the policy and allocation of fertilizers.
PM-PRANAM: Prime Minister Programme for Restoration, Awareness, Nourishment and Amelioration of Mother Earth: A scheme to incentivize reduction in chemical fertilizer usage.
Nutrient Based Subsidy (NBS): Scheme under which the government provides a subsidy on fertilizers based on their nutrient content.
Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) in Fertilizers: System where subsidy on fertilizers is directly transferred to fertilizer companies based on actual sales to beneficiaries through PoS devices.
Punjab: The specific location where the policy and its impacts are being assessed.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS
DEPARTMENT OF FERTILIZERS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2393 TO BE ANSWERED ON: 13.02.2026
Allocation of Fertilizers
2393: Shri Malvinder Singh Kang:
Will the Minister of CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS be pleased to state:
(a) the allocation vis-à-vis actual consumption of fertilizers supplied under the 'One
Nation One Fertilizer' initiative, including “Bharat” branded Urea, DAP and NPK,
in Punjab during the last three Rabi and Kharif seasons, year-wise;
(b) the details of Nutrient Based Subsidy (NBS) released for Punjab during the said
period and the assessment of the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system in
ensuring timely fertilizer availability to small and marginal farmers;
(c) whether any supply/transaction-related issues linked to mandatory use of
Electronic Point of Sale machines have been reported from the Shivalik and
border districts of the State, if so, the details thereof; and
(d) the steps taken under the Prime Minister Programme for Restoration, Awareness,
Nourishment and Amelioration of Mother Earth (PM-PRANAM) scheme to
incentivize reduction in chemical fertilizer usage and improve transparency in
last-mile delivery of subsidised fertilizers in Punjab?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF CHEMICALS & FERTILIZERS
(SMT. ANUPRIYA PATEL)
(a) The availability of Urea, DAP and NPK has remained adequate in the
State of Punjab during the last three years i.e. 2022-23, 2023-24 and 2024-25. The
information regarding requirement, availability and sales of these fertilizers during the
said period in the State of Punjab is placed at Annexure.
(b) & (c) Under the 'DBT in Fertilizers system, 100% subsidy on various fertilizer
grades is released to the fertilizer manufacturing/importing companies, on actual sales to
the beneficiaries based on Aadhar authentication through PoS devices installed at each
retail shop. Accordingly, all farmers including those in the state of Punjab are being
supplied fertilizers at the subsidized rates on no-denial basis. Funds are not allocated or
disbursed in a district-wise or State-wise manner. The details of total expenditure incurred-2-
under the Nutrient Based Subsidy (NBS) scheme (Indigenous P&K and Imported P&K),
during the three years i.e. 2022-23 to 2024-25 are as under:
(Figures in Rs. crore)
Financial Year Subsidy Schemes Grand Total
Imported P&K Indigenous P&K
2022-23 36032.56 50089.67 86122.23
2023-24 28929.57 36270.00 65199.57
2024-25 18800.00 34010.00 52810.00
Grand Total 83762.13 120369.67 204131.80
Further, as per the information received from the State Government of Punjab no
supply/transaction-related issues linked to mandatory use of Electronic Point of Sale
machines have been reported from the Shivalik and border districts of the State.
(d) The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), on June 28, 2023,
approved the “PM Programme for Restoration, Awareness Generation, Nourishment, and
Amelioration of Mother-Earth (PM-PRANAM). The initiative aims to support the mass
movement initiated by States and Union Territories (UTs) to preserve the health of Mother
Earth through the promotion of sustainable and balanced fertilizer use, adoption of
alternative fertilizers, promotion of organic farming, and implementation of resource
conservation technologies. All States/UTs are covered under the PM-PRANAM scheme.
Under the PM-PRANAM scheme, there is a provision to provide incentives to States/UTs
for reduction of consumption of chemical fertilizers (Urea, DAP, NPK, MOP) in a given
financial year, compared to the average consumption over the previous three years,
equivalent to 50% of the fertilizer subsidy saved. Of the total grant, 95% will be allocated
to the State, while the remaining 5% will be utilized for monitoring, IEC, research, capacity
building and reward purposes.
PM-PRANAM scheme is funded from savings of fertilizer subsidy arising out of
reduction in consumption of chemical fertilizers. As per guidelines of PM-PRANAM
Scheme, States/UTs are required to submit Action Plans with utilization of the grants at the
beginning of each financial year. Utilization Certificates must be provided at the end of the
financial year. Grants for subsequent years are based on the proper utilization of the
previous grants. No incentives have been disbursed to the concerned States / Union
Territories till date.
Further, as per the information received from the State Government of Punjab,
Under the PM-PRANAM scheme to promote balanced fertilizer use, the Department of
Agriculture, Punjab has organized awareness camps at village, block, and district levels.
Farmers are being educated on proper fertilizer application practices, including the benefits
of green manuring and gypsum application where required.
Additionally, the Soil Health Card Scheme plays a crucial role in guiding farmers. Soil
samples are collected and analysed, and Soil Health Cards are issued to advise farmers
on the judicious use of fertilizers based on their specific soil conditions.
Furthermore, organic farming and the use of organic fertilizers are being actively
promoted in the State to reduce dependence on chemical fertilizers.
*******-3-
ANNEXURE
Annexure referred to in reply to part (a) of Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No 2393 for answering on 13.02.2026
PUNJAB
SEASON WISE (KHARIF & RABI) REQUIREMENT, AVAILABILITY & CONSUMPTION OF
FERTILIZERS
fig. in LMT
UREA DAP MOP NPKS
S.No SEASONS
Requirement Availability Consumption Requirement Availability Consumption Requirement Availability Consumption Requirement Availability Consumption
1 KHARIF 2025 14.92 19.19 15.94 2.85 3.86 2.36 0.50 0.70 0.32 0.50 1.27 0.66
2 RABI 2024-25 15.00 19.47 15.30 4.50 4.24 3.86 0.50 0.73 0.37 1.50 1.29 0.97
3 KHARIF 2024 11.50 21.02 17.27 3.60 3.74 2.75 0.50 0.69 0.34 1.00 1.03 0.44
4 RABI 2023-24 14.75 20.77 14.10 5.00 3.89 2.90 0.35 0.35 0.22 1.20 0.69 0.41
5 KHARIF 2023 14.73 19.11 16.58 3.00 4.99 4.34 0.50 0.48 0.27 0.30 0.62 0.32
6 RABI 2022-23 14.75 20.12 14.68 5.00 5.43 4.15 0.40 0.30 0.21 1.20 0.53 0.40
7 KHARIF 2022 14.50 18.34 14.77 2.25 4.03 3.02 0.50 0.39 0.19 0.50 0.33 0.18
YEAR WISE REQUIREMENT, AVAILABILITY & CONSUMPTION OF FERTILIZERS
UREA DAP MOP NPKS
S.No YEAR
Requirement Availability Consumption Requirement Availability Consumption Requirement Availability Consumption Requirement Availability Consumption
1 2024-25 26.50 36.70 32.56 8.10 6.99 6.61 1.00 1.06 0.71 2.50 1.73 1.41
2 2023-24 29.48 37.35 30.68 8.00 8.23 7.24 0.85 0.62 0.50 1.50 1.02 0.73
3 2022-23 29.25 34.90 29.45 7.25 8.46 7.17 0.90 0.49 0.41 1.70 0.71 0.58
1. Primary Indicator of comfortable availability: Availability > Requirement
2. Secondary Indicator of comfortable availability: Availability > Consumption