India’s Fertiliser Push: What It Means for Farmers
India is getting two new urea plants soon — and for millions of farmers across the country, that’s quietly significant news.
The government says these two facilities will add 25.4 lakh tonnes of urea production capacity every year. Combined with six plants already set up since 2014, India is steadily building its ability to produce more fertiliser at home rather than depending on imports.
Why Does This Matter?
Urea is the most widely used fertiliser in Indian farming. Without enough of it — at the right time and the right price — crop yields suffer. And when global supply chains break down, as they have repeatedly in recent years, farmers are often the ones who pay the price.
India still imported over 100 lakh tonnes of urea in 2025-26. That’s a big number, and it shows why building domestic capacity matters.
What’s Changed Over the Years?
Domestic urea production has grown from 225 lakh tonnes in 2014-15 to over 314 lakh tonnes in 2023-24 — a record high. Production of phosphatic and potassic fertilisers also hit a record 211 lakh tonnes in 2024-25.
Prices Held Steady — Here’s How
Despite global fertiliser prices shooting up due to tensions in West Asia, the retail price for farmers hasn’t changed by a single paisa.
A 45-kg bag of urea still costs Rs 266.50 at the farm gate. Globally, the same quantity would cost over Rs 4,100. The government has been absorbing that massive difference through subsidies.
DAP, another key fertiliser, is sold to farmers at Rs 1,350 per 50-kg bag — against a global price of around Rs 5,000.
The Bigger Picture
When shipping lanes near the Strait of Hormuz were disrupted, India quickly explored alternative routes and worked diplomatic channels to keep supplies moving.
For the ongoing kharif sowing season, the government says fertiliser availability remains sufficient.
It’s not a glamorous story. But steady supply, stable prices, and growing self-reliance in fertilisers is exactly the kind of quiet infrastructure that keeps food on everyone’s table.
