Fertilizer became the main theme at the annual Rabi conference as most of the States demanded adequate availability during the next winter sowing season, commencing from October as the crop nutrients are essential to achieve targeted production.
Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan while announcing that there is more than enough seeds available for the Rabi season refrained from disclosing the requirement of fertilizers.
“The seeds requirement is estimated at 22.9 million tonnes (mt) whereas the availability at 25 mt exceeds the demand,” Chouhan said briefing media at the conference. However, though he informed that the Fertilizer Secretary has made a presentation on the scenario, the minister refrained from disclosing the demand and availability data saying discussions with States still continuing.
But, the minister while saying that the target of Rabi crops production has been kept slightly lower, exuded confidence that with active support from agriculture ministers during ensuing Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan the target will be achieved.
The Centre has fixed a target of 171.14 mt of foodgrains for Rabi season, which included 119 mt of wheat and 11.80 mt of chana (gram), sources said adding the mustard target has been set at about 14 mt.
Chouhan said that the target of foodgrains for 2025-26 crop year (July-June) has been fixed at 362.5 mt. He did not share the break up of season wise target.
Shortage of fertilizers
Expressing concerns over shortage of fertilizers in the current Kharif season, agriculture minister of Uttar Pradesh Surya Pratap Shahi suggested the Centre to raise the urea price to ₹300/bag from current ₹266.50 and assured the State’s support for such a decision.
“Retailers are complaining that when they get urea at ₹275-280 per bag (of 45 kg), how can they sell it at ₹266. I want to request you (Fertilizer Ministry) to abolish the rate of ₹265.50 as the media also try to raise a ruckus about it when 50 paise is no more valid. Raise it to a round about of ₹270. Though I know it is a political decision, even if it is raised to ₹300, I have no problem with it as it is better than let farmers buy the urea at higher than MRP,” Shahi said adding hike in urea price will help reduce 12-14 per cent subsidy.
He also informed the gathering that the Uttar Pradesh government has taken several action to ensure fertilizer availability this Kharif and those include, cancellation of 1,196 licenses of retailers, suspension of 623 staff, and 20,600 raids. He also suggested linking fertilizer sales with PM-Kisan data and upload the buyers’ information on the portal so that it is easily known how much quantity a farmer is buying.
Karnataka demanded the Centre to start procurement of Kharif pulses and soyabean and Telangana wanted the cap on procurement of pulses and oilseeds be removed so that farmers are assured of unhindered purchase at minimum support prices.
Meanwhile, the fortnight-long Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan will begin from October 3 where 2,150 teams of scientists, State officials are expected to reach out 1-1.3 crore farmers in 725 districts, each team to cover 3 districts with daily 1-2 programmes in which new villages will be covered where it did not reach before Kharif season’s campaign.
Published on September 16, 2025