Major Decision by the Government of India in the Interest of Farmers

Natural Gas Supply for Fertilizer Production Included in Government’s Priority List

Urea Stock Significantly Higher than Last Year Ahead of the Kharif Season

The Government of India has issued the Natural Gas (Supply Regulation) Order, 2026, officially including the fertilizer sector in its priority list. To ensure that domestic fertilizer production remains unaffected, fertilizer plants have been categorized under ‘Priority Sector-2’ for natural gas supply.

Under this new mandate:

• Fertilizer plants will be provided with at least 70% of their average natural gas consumption based on the last six months.
• This measure aims to safeguard fertilizer production against global supply chain disruptions, particularly the LNG supply issues caused by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
• The priority status ensures that farmers receive fertilizers on time, allowing agricultural activities to continue smoothly despite the global gas crisis.

By prioritizing natural gas for fertilizer production, the Government of India has reaffirmed that meeting the needs of farmers is one of its highest priorities. Proactive preparations have been initiated to ensure that political instability in West Asia does not adversely impact the upcoming Kharif sowing season in India.

High-Level Meeting at Department of Fertilizers Mobilizes Industry Leaders and Petroleum Ministry
A high-level meeting was held in the Department of Fertilizers on Tuesday regarding this matter. High-ranking officials from all fertilizer companies participated in the meeting and presented a detailed account of their preparations and challenges to the Department. On behalf of the Department, all companies were instructed that every possible effort is being made to keep fertilizer plants running continuously. Senior officials from the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas also attended this meeting.

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Robust Fertilizer Reserves and Buffer Stock

The Department of Fertilizers has assured farmers that despite disruptions in maritime transport and cargo ship movements, India maintains a sufficient inventory of fertilizers. To eliminate any confusion, the Department has released the following data-backed status of current reserves:

• An aggressive strategy of advance stocking during low-consumption phases has resulted in a massive buffer stock.
• Ahead of the Kharif season, India’s total fertilizer reserve has reached 180.12 Lakh Metric Tons (LMT).
• This represents a 36.6% increase compared to the 131.79 LMT recorded during the same period last year (March 10, 2025).
• This surge is primarily driven by an unprecedented increase in critical soil nutrients, specifically DAP (25.17 LMT) and NPKS (56.30 LMT).

Comparative Stock Status (As of March 10, 2026, in LMT):

Ensuring Domestic Availability

The availability of Urea, the most consumed fertilizer in the country, has risen to 61.51 LMT. This data-backed, robust inventory clearly demonstrates that India is well-insulated from global supply chain shocks for the upcoming Kharif sowing. These strategic reserves ensure that international logistics bottlenecks do not lead to domestic shortages for farmers.

To maintain a continuous supply of all categories of subsidized fertilizers, the Department of Fertilizers has already managed essential shipments. As of February 2026, the Government of India has imported 98 LMT of Urea, with an additional 17 LMT scheduled in the pipeline for the next three months. This proactive approach serves as a testament to the government’s commitment to protecting the interests of the farming community amidst global turmoil.