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GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS
DEPARTMENT OF FERTILIZERS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3536 TO BE ANSWERED ON: 13.03.2026
Shortage of Fertilizers in Tamil Nadu
3536: Km. SUDHA R:
Will the Minister of CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS be pleased to state:
(a) the cause for the acute fertilizer shortages reported in Cauvery delta districts of
Tamil Nadu including Trichy, Thanjavur, Nagapattinam and Mayiladuthurai, during
2025, district-wise;
(b) the impact of these shortages on farmers in Mayiladuthurai Lok Sabha
Constituency of Tamil Nadu;
(c) the steps taken by the Government to address the crisis, including additional
allocations, distribution and monitoring to check black marketing or hoarding by private
dealers; and
(d) whether any long-term measures are planned to prevent future shortages, if so,
the details thereof?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF CHEMICALS & FERTILIZERS
(SMT. ANUPRIYA PATEL)
(a) to (d) Following steps are taken by the Government every season for ensuring
timely and adequate availability of all fertilizers in the country, including the State of Tamil
Nadu:
(i) Before the commencement of each cropping season, Department of Agriculture and
Farmers Welfare (DA&FW), in consultation with all the State Governments,
assesses the State-wise & month-wise requirement of fertilizers.
(ii) On the basis of requirement projected by DA&FW, D/o Fertilizers allocates adequate
quantities of fertilizers to States by issuing monthly supply plan and continuously
monitors the availability.-2-
(iii) 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).
(iv) The State Governments are regularly advised to coordinate with manufacturers and
importers for streamlining the supplies through timely placement of indents.
(v) Regular coordination meetings are held with Ministry of Railways for giving sufficient
rakes, priority to fertilizers and for timely evacuation of rakes for States.
In view of above, the availability of fertilizers viz. Urea, DAP, MOP and NPKS has
remained adequate in the State of Tamil Nadu during Kharif 2025 and Rabi 2025-26
seasons. The information regarding requirement, availability, sales and closing stock
of these fertilizers during the said seasons is as under:
TAMIL NADU
RABI 2025-26 (TILL 10/03/26) FERTILIZER POSITION
FIG. IN LMT
Pro rata Availability Sales
Requirement Requirement From From
Stock as on
S.No Product for RABI From 01/10/25 01/10/25
10/03/26
2025-26 01/10/25 to to to
10/03/26 10/03/26 10/03/26
1 UREA 6.50 5.96 7.19 5.78 1.41
2 DAP 1.55 1.45 2.08 1.47 0.61
3 MOP 1.80 1.67 1.35 0.98 0.37
4 NPKS 5.14 4.77 6.49 4.41 2.08
KHARIF 2025 FERTILIZER POSITION
FIG. IN LMT
Requirement Stock as
S.No Product for KHARIF Availability Sales on
2025 30/09/25
1 UREA 4.37 6.07 5.06 1.01
2 DAP 1.40 2.01 1.29 0.72
3 MOP 0.80 1.34 0.96 0.38
4 NPKS 4.11 5.50 3.91 1.59
1. Primary Indicator of comfortable availability: Availability > Requirement
2. Secondary Indicator of comfortable availability: Availability > Sales
Further, it is also submitted that the mandate of D/o Fertilizers is to ensure adequate
availability of fertilizers at State level. However, the distribution of fertilizers within
the State at district level is done by the concerned State government. In this regard,
the State govt. of Tamil Nadu has informed that the availability of fertilizers in
Cauvery delta districts of Tamil Nadu – including Trichy,-3-
Thanjavur, Nagapattinam and Mayiladuthurai – has remained adequate during the
said season. Any localized or temporary supply fluctuations were promptly
addressed through timely movement of stocks from nearby districts and through the
utilization of available buffer stocks.
Moreover, in order to address the issues such as black-marketing and hoarding,
fertilizer is declared as an essential commodity under the Essential Commodities
Act, 1955 and notified under Fertilizer Control Order, 1985. State Governments are
empowered to take action against persons involved in said malpractices, as per
provisions of EC Act. Any complaints received at Department of Fertilizers level
regarding these malpractices is sent to concerned State Government to take
appropriate action under Essential Commodities Act, 1955 and Fertilizer Control
Order, 1985. Accordingly, State Government of Tamil Nadu has informed that,
during the period 01.04.2025 to 06.03.2026, 14 show-cause notices have been
issued and 08 FIRs have been lodged to curb black-marketing of fertilizers. Besides,
06 Show-cause notices have been issued and 08 licenses have been
cancelled/suspended to curb hoarding of fertilizers during the said period.
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