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Indian government assures farmers of fertiliser supply this summer sowing season
Farmers fear the Middle East conflict endangers availability of fertiliser; prices are rising which could threaten yields, inflate subsidy burdens and undermine food security
- PUBLISHED: Thu 16 Apr 2026, 4:10 PM
[Editor's Note: Follow the Khaleej Times live blog for the latest regional developments with the US-Israel-Iran ceasefire now in effect.]
Following the Middle East conflict, there are fears among Indian farmers of fertiliser shortage this summer sowing season. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, however, assured adequate arrangements are in place as domestic production of urea, DAP (Diammonium phosphate) and NPK (nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium) has been expanded.
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India imports 30 per cent of its fertilisers, and the Gulf region accounts for a bulk of it. A government spokesperson said India, the world’s second-largest fertiliser user after China, has adequate stocks and is in a comfortable position.
"The department of fertilisers, through a combination of domestic production hikes and a sophisticated global procurement strategy, has moved to insulate Indian farmers from global supply chain volatilities", he added.
India’s fertiliser stock on Wednesday stood at 18.4 million tonnes, according to the government, as against 16 million tonnes last year in April.
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But there are fears that the Middle East conflict endangers India’s fertiliser access at a pivotal moment.
“Availability is strained, prices are rising (with urea already volatile globally) and prolonged issues could threaten yields, inflate subsidy burdens and undermine food security for 1.4 billion people,” MP Sukumaran Nair, director, Centre for Green Technology & Management and special secretary, Kerala, told Khaleej Times on Thursday.
While India is monitoring stocks and could accelerate domestic production or diversify sources, “the Gulf’s centrality, bolstered by recent strategic deals, means short-term alternatives are limited,” he said.
India imports a significant portion of its fertilisers through the Arabian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz is vital for the country’s food security, noted Nair. It imports urea, ammonium sulphate, MAP (Monoammonium phosphate), potash, rock phosphate, sulphur, ammonia, phosphoric acid, natural gas, DAP, NP (nitrogen-phosphorous), and NPK from the region. Almost a quarter of India’s total fertilisers are from the Gulf, which is the primary hub for urea, sulphur and ammonia.
Farmers begin buying urea (India is the world’s largest importer of urea, sourcing 10 million tonnes globally) for the monsoon crop season (known as ‘Kharif’), when sowing begins in June and July and harvesting in September and October.
The ‘Rabi’ (winter crops) season sees sowing in October-December and harvesting in April-June. Natural gas is the key for urea production and India imports the bulk of it from the Gulf.
Earlier this week, the Indian government also raised the subsidy for fertilisers.
