Amid recent developments in West Asia, the Government of India has adopted a multi-pronged strategy to ensure adequate fertilizer availability ahead of the Kharif 2026 season. The Department of Fertilizers has focused on boosting domestic production while strengthening global procurement mechanisms to shield farmers from supply chain disruptions.
To enhance fertilizer production, the government successfully concluded global tenders through the Empowered Pool Management Committee (EPMC) for natural gas procurement. Under this initiative, an additional 7.31 MMSCMD (Million Metric Standard Cubic Meters per Day) of gas has been secured on a spot basis. As a result, total gas supply to urea plants has increased from 32 MMSCMD to 39.31 MMSCMD marking a significant 23% rise.
This increase is expected to directly boost urea production, which is projected to grow from 54,500 metric tonnes per day to nearly 67,000 metric tonnes per day. Consequently, the fulfillment of gas requirements for urea plants has improved from 62% to 76%.
Government’s proactive approach is reflected in the current fertilizer stock position, which is considerably stronger than last year. As of March 19, 2026, urea stocks stood at 61.14 lakh metric tonnes, compared to 55.22 lakh metric tonnes during the same period in 2025.
Notably, DAP (Di-Ammonium Phosphate) stocks have more than doubled to 24.24 lakh metric tonnes from 11.85 lakh metric tonnes last year. In addition, NPK fertilizers are available at 57.21 lakh metric tonnes, while SSP stands at 24.80 lakh metric tonnes. MOP stocks are currently at 12.65 lakh metric tonnes.
| Product | Stock as on March 19, 2026 | Stock as on March 19, 2025 |
| Urea | 61.14 | 55.22 |
| DAP | 24.24 | 11.85 |
| NPKs | 57.21 | 34.44 |
| SSP | 24.80 | 23.15 |
| MOP | 12.65 | 14.13 |
Adequate Availability before Sowing Season:
The government aims to ensure that the bulk of fertilizers is positioned across warehouses nationwide before the end of March. This will help facilitate smooth availability during the Kharif sowing season and prevent any last-minute shortages.
Direct Benefits for Farmers:
Timely availability of fertilizers will enable farmers to carry out sowing and crop management more efficiently. These measures are expected to stabilize agricultural production, control input costs, and ultimately support higher farm incomes. Overall, the government’s strategic intervention reflects a strong commitment to safeguarding farmers’ interests and ensuring a smooth and productive Kharif 2026 season.
FAQs:
Q1: How much urea is available for Kharif 2026?
A: Urea stocks have increased to 61.14 lakh metric tonnes as of March 19, 2026.
Q2: What is the DAP stock position?
A: DAP stocks have more than doubled to 24.24 lakh metric tonnes from 11.85 lakh metric tonnes last year.
Q3: How does increased gas supply affect urea production?
A: Additional 7.31 MMSCMD gas has raised urea output from 54,500 MT/day to nearly 67,000 MT/day.
Q4: Are NPK and SSP fertilizers readily available?
A: Yes, NPK fertilizers are at 57.21 lakh MT and SSP at 24.80 lakh MT, ensuring adequate supply before sowing.
Q5: How will this benefit farmers during Kharif 2026?
A: Timely fertilizer availability ensures smooth sowing, better crop management, and potential for higher farm incomes.
