“Amrit Kaal: Empowering India’s Farmers Through Strategic Fertilizer Policy”

• Six new urea plants were commissioned in the last six years, adding 76.2 LMT production capacity.
• India remains the second-largest consumer and third-largest producer of Fertilizers globally.
• India recorded its highest-ever domestic urea production in 2023–24, crossing 314 lakh metric tonnes.
• New international deals with Saudi Arabia, Nepal, Bhutan, and Sri Lanka aim to secure long-term Fertilizer supplies.

NEW DELHI, AUGUST 03, 2025:  Fertilizers play a crucial role in enhancing agricultural productivity. Along with quality seeds and reliable irrigation, they are one of the key factors driving higher crop yields. The use of fertilizers has grown steadily over the years, particularly after the Green Revolution. Their impact has been significant in helping India move closer to self-reliance in food production.

According to the Economic Survey 2024–25, agriculture and allied sectors contributenearly 16% to India’s GDP and supports over 46% of the population. This makes agriculture a core pillar of the country’s economy, supporting not only food production but also employment and growth in related sectors.

For the financial year 2024–25, the Budget Estimate for the Department of Fertilizers was revised to ₹1,91,836.29 crore from ₹1,68,130.81 crore through Supplementary Demands for Grants passed by Parliament. The allocation reflects the government’s strong support for the sector, taking into account expected fertilizer use, natural gas prices, and global fertilizer market trends. Today, India stands as the second-largest user and the third-largest producer of fertilizers globally.Studies have shown a clear link between increased fertilizer use and better crop yields. When fertilizer consumption rises, the productivity of major crops also improves. This underlines how important fertilizers are for farming success in India.

What are Fertilizers?

Fertilizers are concentrated plant nutrients made from inorganic chemicals. They are used to supply essential elements that plants need to grow well. Unlike organic manure, Fertilizers contain nutrients in higher amounts and are applied in smaller quantities.

Fertilizers are ready to use and are available in different forms. However, some of them may wash away with irrigation or rainfall. This means they can become unavailable to the plants before being absorbed.Depending on their composition, Fertilizers are classified as sole Fertilizers, mixed Fertilizers, or those that contain micronutrients.

Application of Fertilizers

The way Fertilizers are applied can affect how well plants absorb nutrients. Proper timing and method ensure better crop response and reduce losses from water runoff or chemical reactions in the soil. Fertilizers can be applied in solid or liquid forms depending on the crop, soil condition, and method of irrigation.

Timing of Application:

Chemical Fertilizers are applied just before sowing or soon after. The exact quantity and frequency depend on the type of crop, the fertility of the soil, and the season.

Advantages of Fertilizers

• Fertilizers are easily available in the market
• Specific nutrients can be applied as needed
• Packaged products are easy to carry and store
• Application can be controlled and measured
• Different concentrations and formulations are available

Growth of Fertilizer Industry

Over the last decade, India’s Fertilizer industry has seen steady growth. The total Fertilizer production has increased from 385.39 Lakh Metric Tonnes (LMT) in 2014–15 to 503.35LMT in 2023–24. This progress reflects the impact of focused government reforms and investments in the sector.

Sector-Wise Contribution

During 2023–24:

• The public sectorcontributed about 43% to total Fertilizer production.
• The cooperative sectoraccounted for 81%.
• The private sectorcontributed the largest share at 77%.

Fertilizer Consumption and Import Dependency

India’s total annual consumption of Fertilizer in 2023–24 was around 601 LMT. 503 LMT was produced domestically in India while177 LMT came through imports.

Self-Reliance and Import Gaps

India has achieved near self-sufficiency in key Fertilizers:

• Around 87% of ureaconsumption is domestically
• 90% of NPK Fertilizersare also produced within the country.
• However, for DAP, only about 40%comes from local production.
• In the case of Muriate of Potash (MOP), 100%is still imported.

Government’s Initiatives in the Fertilizer Sector

1. Fertilizer Subsidy and Budgetary Support

For 2024–25, the Department of Fertilizers received a final budget of₹1,91,836 crore, a notable rise from the ₹1,68,131 crore originally allocated. This increase was made possible through supplementary demands approved by Parliament.

Under the Nutrient Based Subsidy scheme, the allocation was raised from ₹45,000crorein Budget Estimate (BE) 2024-25 to ₹54,310 crore, ensuring sustained support for phosphatic and potassic Fertilizers.

Nutrient Based Subsidy scheme

The Government introduced the Nutrient Based Subsidy (NBS) scheme on 1 April 2010 for phosphatic and potassic Fertilizers. Under this scheme, a fixed subsidy is provided for subsidised P and K Fertilizers, including di-ammonium phosphate, based on their nutrient content. The subsidy rates are decided on an annual or bi-annual basis. The P and K sector has been decontrolled, which allows Fertilizer companies to set the maximum retail price at reasonable levels. These prices are monitored by the Government, while the companies produce or import Fertilizers in line with market demand.

On 28 March 2025, the Union Cabinet approved revised rates for the Nutrient Based Subsidy scheme. These subsidies apply to phosphatic and potassic (P&K) Fertilizers, including NPKS grades. The new rates are in effect for the 2025 Kharif season, which runs from 1 April to 30 September 2025.The total subsidy outlay for this season is ₹37,216.15 crore. This amount is roughly ₹13,000 crore more than what was provided during the previous Rabi season.

Urea is sold to farmers at a fixed price of ₹242 for a 45 kg bag, a rate that has remained unchanged since March 2018. The government covers the cost difference via subsidy to the manufacturers.

Due to global market pressures, a one-time special subsidy of ₹3,500 per tonne was extended for DAP (diammonium phosphate) from April 2024 to March 2025. This measure supports farmers by ensuring DAP remains affordable.

1. One Nation One Fertilizer (ONOF)

The One Nation One Fertilizer scheme was introduced to bring uniformity in branding and ensure transparency in the Fertilizer sector. It focuses on using a single brand name called ‘Bharat’ for all subsidised Fertilizers across the country.

Under this scheme, whether it is urea, DAP (Di-Ammonium Phosphate), MOP (Muriate of Potassium), or NPK, all nutrient-based Fertilizers are sold under the same brand label. The packaging clearly displays the name ‘Bharat Urea’, ‘Bharat DAP’, or ‘Bharat NPK’ along with the name of the Fertilizer company in a smaller font.

The idea is to reduce confusion among farmers. In earlier years, the same Fertilizer was sold under multiple brand names, which made it difficult for buyers to judge quality. This new branding approach ensures that farmers across states receive the same quality product with the assurance of government support.

1. Revival and New Investment in Fertilizer Plants (as of April2025)

The revival and investment status of key Fertilizer plants under the New Investment Policy (NIP) 2012:

Summary

• Total Added Capacity: 76.2 Lakh Metric Tonnesper Annum (LMT) added through the above projects.
• Funding: ₹894.80 croreallocated as Interest Free Loan (IFL) for Gorakhpur, Barauni, and Sindri units.
• Namrup-IV:Latest project approved in March 2025, fully funded through a joint venture under NIP (New Investment Policy) 2012.

1. Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra

The Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra (VBSY), launched on 15 November 2023 by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, promoted drone use in agriculture. The initiative focused on showing farmers how drones can spray nano and water-soluble Fertilizers effectively across various crops.

1. Namo Drone Didi Programme

• Launched by thePrime Minister Shri Narendra Modiduring the Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra.
• Aims to provide dronesto 15,000 women from Self-Help Groups (SHGs) between 2023–24 and 2025–26.
• Promotes the use of drones in agriculture, particularly for spraying nano Fertilizers and pesticides.
• Enhances efficiency, increases crop yield, and helps reduce operational costsfor farmers.
• These Drone Didis are linked to PM KisanSamridhiKendras (PMKSKs)for service delivery.

Promotion of Sustainable and Balanced Use of Fertilizers

Findings from the All India Coordinated Research Project on Long Term Fertiliser Experiments over five decades have shown that the continuous use of nitrogen-based fertilisers alone harms soil health and crop productivity. Such practice has led to deficiencies of other major and micronutrients. Even when recommended doses of NPK and more are applied, shortages of secondary and micronutrients eventually limit yields. These deficiencies can slow plant growth and trigger physiological disorders. Excessive use of nitrogenous fertilisers also increases the risk of nitrate contamination in groundwater, particularly in light soils, where levels may rise above the safe limit of 10 mg NO₃-N /L per litre. This poses serious risks to human and animal health when the water is consumed.

Recognising these dangers, the government has shifted focus to sustainable agriculture and following initiatives are being implemented.

1. Nano Fertilizer Initiatives

Key Initiatives to Promote Nano Fertilizers

• The Department of Fertilizers is actively promoting nano Fertilizers through awareness campaigns like workshops, webinars, street plays, regional films, and field demonstrations.
• Nano urea and nano DAPare now available at Pradhan MantriKisanSamridhiKendras (PMKSKs) across the country.
• Nano urea is integrated into the department’s monthly supply planning to ensure availability.
• The Indian Institute of Soil Scienceled a nationwide campaign to promote balanced Fertilizer use, including nano variants.
• A “Maha Abhiyan”for nano DAP is being conducted in all 15 agro-climatic zones, with field demos and farmer interactions.
• A pilot project for nano ureais running in 100 districts to assess effectiveness and adoption.
• Drone spraying and battery-operated sprayersare being used for easy and cost-effective application, supported by trained village-level entrepreneurs.
• Fertilizer companies are encouraged to scale up nano Fertilizer production, although there is no subsidy or PLI (Production Linked Incentive) scheme

These steps reflect the government’s commitment to sustainable agriculture and precision farming through next-generation Fertilizer technology.

2. Neem Coated Urea (NCU)

Plants need nitrogen the most among all nutrients. Urea is the main source of nitrogen for crops. However, normal urea has low efficiency, with nearly half of the nitrogen getting lost through evaporation and leaching. This loss can be reduced by using better methods and neem-coated urea. Neem coating helps nitrogen stay in the soil longer, making it more useful for the plants.

3. PM-PRANAM Scheme

The PM-PRANAM Scheme (Prime Minister Programme for Restoration, Awareness, Nourishment and Amelioration of Mother Earth) is a government initiative aimed at reducing the use of chemical Fertilizers and encouraging balanced nutrient application. It promotes the use of eco-friendly alternatives such as organic manure, bioFertilizers, and compost. The scheme offers incentives to states that successfully reduce their chemical Fertilizer consumption compared to past usage levels.

4. BioFertilizer and Organic Nutrient Promotion

The government is actively promoting bioFertilizers and organic nutrients to encourage sustainable agriculture. Approved strains like Rhizobium,Azotobacter,andPSBare being made more accessible. ICAR institutions are leading research and extension efforts. These measures aim to reduce reliance on chemical Fertilizers and improve soil health.

5. Soil Health Card Scheme

A Soil Health Card is a printed report given to farmers for each of their land holdings. It shows the condition of the soil by testing 12 key parameters, namely Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium, pH (Acidic or Basic), EC (Electrical Conductivity), Organic Carbon, Sulphur, Zinc, Boron, Iron, Manganese and Copper. The scheme helps farmers understand what their soil needs through regular testing and provides guidance every 2 years.

Technological and Digital Interventions

The government has introduced key technological tools to improve Fertilizer delivery and monitoring. These efforts aim to make the supply chain more efficient and farmer-centric.

1. iFMS (Integrated Fertilizer Management System)

This system tracks the entire Fertilizer supply—from production to retailer. It helps the Department of Fertilizers monitor movement in real time and manage stock availability across states.

2. mFMS (Mobile Fertilizer Management System)

The Mobile Fertilizer Management System (mFMS) is a digital platform that improves Fertilizer distribution by offering online services such as dealer registration, real-time stock tracking, and access to MIS (Management Information System) and DBT (Direct benefit Transfer) reports. It helps farmers find nearby dealers and check availability.

International Fertilizer Deals & Supply Agreements

India continues to deepen its global cooperation in the Fertilizer sector through long-term agreements and strategic investments with neighbouring countries. Key developments include:

1. Saudi Arabia: Securing Long-Term DAP Supply

Union Minister Shri J.P. Nadda visited Riyadh and Dammam from 11 to 13 July 2025 to strengthen cooperation in the Fertilizer sector. During the visit, long-term agreements were signed between Saudi Arabia’s Maaden and Indian companies IPL, KRIBHCO, and CIL. These agreements ensure the supply of 3.1 million metric tonnes of Diammonium Phosphate (DAP) annually for five years starting from the financial year 2025–26, with an option for further extension. DAP imports from Saudi Arabia have already seen a 17% increase, rising from 1.6 million tonnes in 2023–24 to 1.9 million tonnes in 2024–25. Both sides also discussed expanding their cooperation to include other key Fertilizers such as urea.

1. Fertilizer Support to Bhutan

The Royal Government of Bhutan has requested India to supply 5,000 metric tonnes of Fertilizers annually for a period of five years. The requested Fertilizers include Urea, Suphala(NPK), Single Super Phosphate (SSP), Muriateof Potash (MOP), and Borax. Bhutan has sought to procure these Fertilizers at subsidised rates, similar to those provided to Indian farmers. To facilitate this, the Department of Fertilizers has nominated the Brahmaputra Valley Fertilizer Corporation Limited (BVFCL) to manage the supply. BVFCL is currently in discussions with Bhutan’s National Seed Centre to finalise the import arrangements.

1. Investment Proposal in Sri Lanka

FCI Aravali Gypsum and Minerals India Limited (FAGMIL) has proposed a joint venture with Lanka Phosphate Limited to set up a Single Super Phosphate (SSP) plant with a daily capacity of 800 tonnes. Under the proposal, FAGMIL would hold a 90%stake and invest approximately USD 25 to 30 million over the next three to four years. To facilitate the progress of this project, the Department of Fertilizers has reached out to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) to initiate engagement with the Sri Lankan authorities.

1. Fertilizer Supply to Nepal

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed on 28 February 2022 between the Governments of India and Nepal. The agreement outlines the supply of Urea and Diammonium Phosphate (DAP) from India to support Nepal’s agricultural requirements.

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