Latest news with #Kharif2025
News18
2 days ago
- Business
- News18
Adequate availability of fertilisers in Maharashtra this Kharif season: Govt
New Delhi, Jul 29 (PTI) There is 'adequate" availability of fertilisers in Maharashtra during the ongoing Kharif 2025 season, Parliament was informed on Tuesday. Additionally, the state has maintained a buffer stock of 76,000 tonnes of urea and 13,000 tonnes of DAP (Di Ammonium Phosphate), Minister of State for Chemicals and Fertilisers Anupriya Patel said in a written reply to the Rajya Sabha. As per the data, Maharashtra's fertiliser supply position for Kharif 2025, as of July 24, demonstrates robust coverage of seasonal requirements across all major product categories. For urea, the state required 15.52 lakh metric tonnes (LMT) of the fertiliser for the Kharif season. Up to July 24, the pro rata requirement stood at 9.59 LMT, while availability was significantly higher at 14.12 LMT. Sales during the period were 10.36 LMT with a closing stock of 3.76 LMT, indicating not only strong supply but also a healthy buffer to meet any further surges in demand. In the case of DAP, Maharashtra's total seasonal requirement was 4.60 LMT, with a pro rata requirement till July 24 of 2.94 LMT. Availability by this cutoff was 3.02 LMT, just above the requirement, while sales were at 1.92 LMT. The resulting closing stock was 1.10 LMT, which, despite slower sales relative to pro rata needs, provides a comfortable supply position and ensures that immediate shortages are unlikely. MOP (Muriate of Potash) showed an even stronger surplus position. Against a seasonal target of 1.20 LMT and a pro rata requirement of just 0.63 LMT, Maharashtra had made available 1.87 LMT. Sales reached 1.04 LMT – well ahead of the expected drawdown – leaving a closing stock of 0.84 LMT. This significant buffer demonstrates prudent procurement and distribution that can easily accommodate any rise in crop nutrient demand mid-season. For NPKS (complex fertilisers), the scenario was also notably positive. The requirement for the season was 18.00 LMT, with the pro rata till July 24 being 10.59 LMT. With 20.55 LMT made available and sales touching 12.76 LMT, closing stock stood high at 7.70 LMT. Both availability and utilisation figures are much higher than the benchmark for the period, reflecting proactive management and smooth supply chain functioning for this essential category, the data showed. The government monitors the movement of all major subsidised fertilisers across the country through an online web-based monitoring system called Integrated Fertilizer Monitoring System (iFMS). PTI LUX LUX SHW view comments First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Hans India
5 days ago
- Politics
- Hans India
K'taka: Urea, fertiliser prices rise after surge in demand, farming community in distress
The shortage of urea and other fertilisers in Karnataka has led traders to sell it at double the price, pushing the farming community in the state into distress. Farmers, who were hopeful of a good harvest following favourable rainfall and the early onset of the monsoon this year, are now distraught and staging protests. The situation has further escalated tensions between the Congress-led Karnataka government and the Centre. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has written to Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare and Chemicals & Fertilisers, J.P. Nadda, urging him to expedite the supply of 1.65 lakh metric tonnes of urea fertiliser as per the state's allocation, in the interest of the farmers. Union Minister for Food, Public Distribution, and Consumer Affairs, Pralhad Joshi, strongly criticised Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, accusing him of misleading the people of Karnataka with false statements regarding fertiliser supply. The Department of Fertilisers (DoF) also issued a clarification, stating that it has ensured the timely and adequate availability of 8.73 lakh metric tonnes of urea to Karnataka against a pro-rata requirement of 6.30 lakh metric tonnes during the ongoing Kharif 2025 season. The state has recorded sales of 7.08 lakh metric tonnes during the same period - well above the pro-rata requirement. The DoF stated that it continues to closely monitor the situation and is coordinating with the state government to ensure Karnataka's farmers have timely access to urea throughout the Kharif season, the DoF stated. Despite this, thousands of farmers are lining up outside shops to procure urea fertiliser for sowing. Urea is a crucial agricultural input as it is the primary source of nitrogen, an essential nutrient for plant growth. It significantly boosts crop yields and improves produce quality by enhancing foliage, chlorophyll synthesis, and overall productivity. Urea is typically applied during sowing and as a top dressing during the crop's vegetative growth phase. Since sowing has already begun following good rainfall, farmers urgently need to apply urea to their fields. Without it, crops may suffer from stunted growth, yellowing of leaves, and significantly reduced yields. Long queues of farmers have been observed at fertiliser shops in hobli, taluk, and district headquarters across Karnataka, especially in the northern part of the state. Due to the shortage, shop owners are rationing the supply, limiting sales to just two 50-kilogram bags per farmer. While urea and other essential fertilisers are also sold at fair price shops, many of these outlets have already run out of stock. There are widespread allegations that private traders are exploiting the crisis by hoarding urea and selling it at inflated prices. Farmers have alleged that even as shopkeepers display 'no stock' boards, they are willing to supply unlimited quantities of urea if buyers are ready to pay Rs 500 per bag, while the actual price ranges between Rs 250 and Rs 300. In the Koppal district, farmers blocked roads in protest against the shortage, while in the Haveri district, they confronted officials over the two-bag limit. In some locations, angry farmers have prevented trucks from offloading urea into shops, demanding direct sales from the vehicles. There are also allegations that traders are hoarding fertiliser stocks to create artificial scarcity and drive up prices. Small and marginal farmers have been the worst affected. They cannot afford the exorbitant rates demanded by black marketeers, but at the same time, they cannot risk losing their crops. The current crisis has also revived memories of a tragic incident in 2008, when a 33-year-old man was killed in police firing during a protest over fertiliser shortages in Haveri district. The firing, meant to disperse the agitated mob, occurred shortly after former Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa took office. The incident shook the state government, especially as Yediyurappa had taken his oath in the name of farmers after leading the BJP to power for the first time in South India. Yediyurappa had then blamed the UPA government at the Centre for the fertiliser shortage.
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Business Standard
22-07-2025
- Business
- Business Standard
Govt imports nearly 1 million tonnes of DAP in Apr-Jun, shows Govt data
India has imported 974,000 tonnes of di-ammonium phosphate (DAP) during the April-June quarter to meet domestic demand, the government said on Tuesday. In a written reply to Rajya Sabha, Minister of State for Chemicals and Fertilisers Anupriya Patel shared the data of DAP imports for the current year, as reported by the companies. As per the data, India imported 289,000 tonnes of DAP in April, 236,000 tonnes in May and 449,000 tonnes in June. Imports of DAP, a key fertiliser, stood at 456,900 tonnes in 2024-25 fiscal, 556,700 tonnes in 2023-24, 658,300 tonnes in 2022-23, 546,200 tonnes in 2021-22, and 488,200 tonnes during 2020-21. "The government is ensuring adequate availability of fertilizers to meet the Kharif 2025 requirement for chemical fertilizers during the 2025 Kharif season (is) marginally higher than that of the previous year, owing to expanded sowing coverage and favourable monsoon conditions," Patel said. From April 2010, the Centre has implemented Nutrient Based Subsidy (NBS) policy for Phosphatic and Potassic (P&K) fertilisers. Under this, a fixed amount of subsidy, decided on an annual/bi-annual basis, is provided on notified P&K fertilisers depending on their nutrient content. The P&K fertilisers are covered under Open General License (OGL), and companies are free to import these fertilisers as per their business dynamics. "The gap between demand (requirement) and production of fertilizers is met through imports. Further, to minimize the impact of supply chain disruptions due to geopolitical factors, the fertilizer companies have entered in long term arrangements with DAP-producing nations to ensure continuous supplies," Patel said. Imports of urea stood at 564,700 tonnes in 2024-25, 704,200 tonnes in 2023-24, 758,000 tonnes during 2022-23, 913,600 tonnes in 2021-22, and 982,800 tonnes in 2020-2.
Economic Times
22-07-2025
- Business
- Economic Times
India imports nearly 10 lakh tonnes of DAP in Apr-Jun to meet local demand: Govt data
India has imported 9.74 lakh tonnes of di-ammonium phosphate (DAP) during the April-June quarter to meet domestic demand, the government said on Tuesday. In a written reply to Rajya Sabha, Minister of State for Chemicals and Fertilisers Anupriya Patel shared the data of DAP imports for the current year, as reported by the companies. As per the data, India imported 2.89 lakh tonnes of DAP in April, 2.36 lakh tonnes in May and 4.49 lakh tonnes in June. Imports of DAP, a key fertiliser, stood at 45.69 lakh tonnes in 2024-25 fiscal, 55.67 lakh tonnes in 2023-24, 65.83 lakh tonnes in 2022-23, 54.62 lakh tonnes in 2021-22, and 48.82 lakh tonnes during 2020-21. "The government is ensuring adequate availability of fertilizers to meet the Kharif 2025 requirement for chemical fertilizers during the 2025 Kharif season (is) marginally higher than that of the previous year, owing to expanded sowing coverage and favourable monsoon conditions," Patel said. From April 2010, the Centre has implemented Nutrient Based Subsidy (NBS) policy for Phosphatic and Potassic (P&K) fertilisers. Under this, a fixed amount of subsidy, decided on an annual/bi-annual basis, is provided on notified P&K fertilisers depending on their nutrient content. The P&K fertilisers are covered under Open General License (OGL), and companies are free to import these fertilisers as per their business dynamics. "The gap between demand (requirement) and production of fertilizers is met through imports. Further, to minimize the impact of supply chain disruptions due to geopolitical factors, the fertilizer companies have entered in long term arrangements with DAP-producing nations to ensure continuous supplies," Patel said. Imports of urea stood at 56.47 lakh tonnes in 2024-25, 70.42 lakh tonnes in 2023-24, 75.80 lakh tonnes during 2022-23, 91.36 lakh tonnes in 2021-22, and 98.28 lakh tonnes in 2020-2. PTI
Indian Express
13-07-2025
- Business
- Indian Express
Union minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan asks CMs to immediately stop forced sale of nano-fertilisers and biostimulants to farmers
Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has asked the state governments to immediately stop the 'forced tagging' of nano-fertilisers or biostimulants along with conventional fertilisers like urea and diammonium phosphate (DAP). In a letter to chief ministers, Chouhan highlighted complaints that retailers are not selling subsidised conventional fertilisers such as urea, DAP, etc. to farmers unless they purchase nano-fertilisers or biostimulants. 'It is illegal to forcibly force farmers to purchase other products by tagging them with conventional fertilizer bags,' Chouhan wrote. Chouhan asked them to immediately stop the forced tagging of the nano-fertilizers and biostimulants with conventional fertilisers. 'Forced tagging of nano-fertilizers or bio-stimulant products along with conventional fertilizers should be stopped immediately. In such cases, legal action should be taken against the culprits as per law,' he wrote. Chouhan also asked the chief ministers to take strict action against the sale of spurious and substandard fertilisers. He said that agriculture is the backbone of India's economy, and to ensure stability in farmers' income, it is essential to provide them with quality fertilisers at the right time, at affordable prices, and of standard quality. He said that the sale of counterfeit or substandard fertilisers is prohibited under the Fertiliser (Control) Order 1985, which falls under the Essential Commodities Act 1955. It is the responsibility of the states to ensure adequate availability of fertilisers at the right places and locations where it is required, he said. Therefore, states must strictly monitor and take swift action against activities such as black marketing, overpricing, and diversion of subsidised fertilisers, he added. He urged the chief ministers to hold regular monitoring of fertiliser production and sale as well as to carry out sampling and testing to ensure strict control over spurious and substandard products. 'Strict legal action, including cancellation of licenses and registration of FIRs, should be taken against the culprits, and effective prosecution must be ensured to secure conviction,' he said. He also urged all states to launch a statewide campaign to eliminate the problem of fake and substandard agricultural inputs from its roots. Chouhan's letter assumes significance amid his recent remarks about nano-fertilisers and biostimulants. During the Kharif 2025 conference, Chouhan flagged concerns about the inefficiency of nano urea. At a recent conference, he also questioned the usefulness of biostimulants. Harikishan Sharma, Senior Assistant Editor at The Indian Express' National Bureau, specializes in reporting on governance, policy, and data. He covers the Prime Minister's Office and pivotal central ministries, such as the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers' Welfare, Ministry of Cooperation, Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Ministry of Rural Development, and Ministry of Jal Shakti. His work primarily revolves around reporting and policy analysis. In addition to this, he authors a weekly column titled "STATE-ISTICALLY SPEAKING," which is prominently featured on The Indian Express website. In this column, he immerses readers in narratives deeply rooted in socio-economic, political, and electoral data, providing insightful perspectives on these critical aspects of governance and society. ... Read More
