Parliament Question: Availability and affordability of fertilizers

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1617 TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 13/02/2026 AVAILABILITY AND AFFORDABILITY OF FERTILIZERS 1617. DR. KANIMOZHI NVN SOMU: Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE be pleased to state: (a) the manner in which Government is ensuring availability and affordability of fertilizers for farmers amidst increasing imports; (b) whether any logistical or price support measures have been introduced due to heightened demand; and (c) the impact of rising fertilizer costs on crop input expenses for farmers? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE (SHRI RAMNATH THAKUR) (a): In order to ensure the availability of fertilizer, Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare (DA&FW), in consultation with all the State Governments, assesses the state-wise & month-wise requirement of fertilizers before the commencement of each cropping season, and provide to Department of Fertilizers to supply adequate quantities of fertilizers to States. The movement of all major subsidized fertilizers is monitored throughout the country by an on-line web-based monitoring system called integrated Fertilizer Management System (iFMS). Weekly review meeting with states is undertaken to ensure smooth availability of fertilizers. The State Governments are regularly advised to coordinate with manufacturers and importers for streamlining the supplies through timely placement of indents. (b) & (c): The maximum retail price (MRP) of urea is constant since 2018. The price of urea is Rs 242 per 45 Kg bag. Similarly, MRP of DAP (@ Rs. 1350 per 50 kg bag) is constant for the last three years (2023-24 to 2025-26). In order to keep the price constant, the Government is bearing the subsidy on both the urea and Phosphatic & Potassic (P& K) fertilizers. Price support for Urea is met through Urea Subsidy Scheme of the Government of India, which also include freight subsidy for movement of urea across the country under the Uniform Freight Subsidy Policy. The difference between the delivered cost of urea at farm gate and net market realization by the urea units is given as subsidy to the urea manufacturer/importer by the Government of India. Under Nutrient Based Subsidy Policy, a fixed amount of subsidy is decided on annual/bi-annual basis and provided on notified P & K fertilizers. *****