Editorial 1: The scramble of fertilizers
Context:
This year India has received above normal rainfall from the South west monsoon. This has led to more Kharif sowing of various crops, mainly rice and maize. As a result, there is high demand for fertilizers. Their supply is constrained by limited domestic production and imports shortfall especially from China.
Above-normal rainfall led to more Kharif sowing:
- For the period from June-August, India received above normal rainfall which was temporally and spatially well distributed.
- It received the 8.9% above long-period average rainfall in June, 4.8% in July, and 5.5% in August. The pre-monsoon month of May also received 106.4% above-normal rainfall.
- The timely monsoon and above-normal monsoon has resulted in more sowing of Kharif crops. The rice sown in this period is 420lakh hectares (LH), higher than 390 LH sown in corresponding time in previous year.
- Area under maize has also shown the similar jump.
- Long Period Average (LPA) is defined as the benchmark for rainfall forecasts and is based on the average rainfall received over the past 50 years (e.g., 1971-2020).
- Above Normal Rainfall: According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), is for rainfall between 104% and 110% of the LPA.
Demand of fertilizer has increased:
- Good rainfall has resulted in adequate soil moisture, which is reflected in high acreage area under Kharif crops. It has resulted in high demand for fertilizers supplying essential nutrients such as nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K) and sulphur(S).
- Fertilizer sale has registered a double –digit growth for April-July 2025 period. These fertilizers include urea, single use superphosphate (SSP), muriate of potash (MOP), and fertilizers containing N, P, K and S in various combinations.
- All fertilizers except DAP (diammonium phosphate) have registered growth in their sale. DAP has recorded dip in its sale. Farmers have substituted it with other P-containing fertilizers such as 20:20:0:13 and SSP.
Supply constraints:
- Domestic production for urea and DAP has registered a decline compared to the last year. Though it increased for NPKS complexes and SSP.
- There has been decline in their imports as well. Rising demand and limited supply has resulted in depletion of fertilizer stocks in the country.
- Farmers apply DAP and other phosphatic fertilizers at the time of sowing. Phosphorus is essential for proper root establishment and early plant growth.
- They apply urea, which supplies nitrogen, a little later. For rice, it is applied in doses. First dose applied 8-10 days after sowing, second dose after 25-30 days and third dose after 45-50 days.
- The supply shortfalls have resulted in long queues of farmers to procure the necessary fertilizers. Many farmers have hoarded the fertilizers. This has amplified this supply shortfall.
Demand-Supply Mismatch not estimated by governments:
- Rice and maize require high nitrogen supplies. It is supplied generally by applying 3 or more urea bags per acre for these crops. This is unlike soyabean and pulses which have low nitrogen requirements and they naturally fix the nitrogen levels in the soil.
- Above-normal rainfall has resulted in increased sowing under rice and maize crops. This has resulted in high fertilizer demand and supply mismatch.
- With major Indian reservoirs filled to near 83.5% of their total storage capacity, Rabi season will also face strong fertilizer demand. This fertilizers crisis is likely to persist in upcoming Rabi season.
- DAP and urea imports have largely been impacted by decline in exports from china amid bilateral crisis in India-China relations. With PM Modi meeting Chinese president on the sidelines of SCO summit, these imports are expected to rise.
Way Forward:
India must rationalize the application of fertilizers as farmers apply overdose of fertilizers. It must also ensure fertilizer supply from diverse countries rather than relying on handful of countries like China. Fertilizers are essential for ensuring the food security of India. India must also promote Zero Budget Natural Farming and Organic farming as alternative to traditional agricultural practices relying on fertilizers.