New Delhi: Fertiliser prices remained unchanged across the country as the Centre continued to bear the subsidy burden on urea and phosphatic and potassic fertilisers, Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Ramnath Thakur told the Rajya Sabha in a written reply on Tuesday.
The minister said the maximum retail price of urea has stayed constant since 2018. Similarly, the MRP of di-ammonium phosphate has remained unchanged for three years from 2023–24 to 2025–26. To maintain stable prices, he said the Government of India absorbed the subsidy cost on both urea and P&K fertilisers.
He explained that actual expenditure on urea fluctuated due to changes in natural gas prices, other raw material costs and international import prices. Meanwhile, under the P&K subsidy scheme, the government fixed subsidy amounts on an annual or bi-annual basis for notified fertilisers.
The minister said the Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare assessed state-wise and month-wise fertiliser requirements before every cropping season. Based on these projections, the Department of Fertilisers supplied adequate quantities to states to ensure timely availability.
He added that authorities monitored the movement of all major subsidised fertilisers through the Integrated Fertiliser Management System, an online, web-based platform. In addition, the Centre conducted weekly review meetings with states to address supply issues. The government also regularly advised states to coordinate with manufacturers and importers to streamline supplies through timely indents.
Fertiliser prices unchanged amid supply monitoring and organic push
Thakur said the government notified alternative fertilisers under the Fertiliser Control Order, 1985 to strengthen supply and quality. These included organic fertilisers, bio-fertilisers, de-oiled cakes, organic carbon enhancers and nano fertilisers.
He said the Centre promoted organic farming nationwide through the Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana in all states and Union Territories, except the North Eastern region. In the North East, the government implemented the Mission Organic Value Chain Development for the North Eastern Region.
Under PKVY, the government provided assistance of Rs. 31,500 per hectare over three years for organic farming. Out of this, farmers received Rs. 15,000 per hectare through direct benefit transfer for on-farm and off-farm organic inputs, including compost.
Under MOVCDNER, the assistance stood at Rs. 46,500 per hectare over three years. The scheme supported the creation of farmer producer organisations and organic inputs. Of this amount, Rs. 32,500 per hectare was earmarked for inputs, including Rs. 15,000 through direct benefit transfer to farmers.
The minister said the government also promoted balanced fertiliser use through the Soil Health and Fertility scheme, which has operated since 2014–15. The scheme aimed to issue Soil Health Cards to all farm holdings to support integrated nutrient management.
He said authorities carried out diagnostic soil health assessments periodically to issue cards at least once every three years. Since its launch, the scheme has generated or distributed 25.61 crore Soil Health Cards nationwide.
Thakur added that the government released Rs. 1,970 crore under the scheme so far. He said officials organised 93,781 farmer training programmes, 6.80 lakh demonstrations and 7,425 farmer melas and campaigns across the country to promote soil health awareness.
