Centre ensures affordable fertilizer supply amid Russia-Ukraine war

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New Delhi, December 3

India provides urea to farmers at a fixed subsidized rate of ₹242 per 45-kg bag, regardless of production costs, the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers said on Tuesday. The subsidy bridges the gap between the market cost and the farmgate price, ensuring affordability for farmers. For Phosphatic and Potassic (P&K) fertilizers, the government follows the Nutrient Based Subsidy (NBS) policy, offering fixed subsidies based on the nutrient content, such as Nitrogen (N), Phosphorus (P), Potassium (K), and Sulphur (S). Companies are free to import or produce P&K fertilizers, while the government monitors global price fluctuations to adjust subsidy rates annually or bi-annually, the Ministry said.

Despite challenges like the Russia-Ukraine war, the government has maintained fertilizer affordability by providing special packages beyond NBS rates during multiple cropping seasons, including Rabi 2021-22 and Kharif 2024, the Ministry further said.

India is also diversifying its fertilizer sources through long-term agreements with resource-rich countries to ensure steady supplies of raw materials and finished fertilizers. The information was shared by Union Minister of State for Chemicals and Fertilizers Anupriya Patel in response to a question in the Rajya Sabha.