No scarcity of fertilizers across the country during ongoing Kharif season, says fertilizer minister

Madhya Pradesh CM Shivraj Singh meets Sadananda Gowda

NEW DELHI, 7 July 2020: Indian minister of chemicals & fertilizers, D V Sadananda Gowda has said that there is no scarcity of fertilizers across the country during ongoing Kharif season.

He added prepositioning in adequate quantities have been done in consultations with the State Governments.

Gowda assured the Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh Shivraj Singh Chouhan who met Gowda in New Delhi recently.

After meeting the minister, Chouhan said that there is adequate availability of urea in his State as per the demand is being/will be made. Though there has not been scarcity of urea in the state so far, the consumption of urea has increased due to higher rainfall in this monsoon and commensurate increase in sowing by 47 percent as compared to corresponding period last year. 

Sighting this, Chouhan requested Central Government to make additional allocation of urea to the State and  projected requirements during the months of July, August and September as there is higher demand of urea expected during this Kharif season by farmers. 

Gowda assured that adequate supply of urea will be made available to Madhya Pradesh in coming days. Till June, the State has received nearly 55000 metric tones of additional urea, and 19000 metric tones has been allocated on 3 July 2020 in addition to July Supply Plan.

Union Department of Fertilizers is continuously monitoring the situation, and is committed to make adequate supply of urea to meet the demand of farmers during ongoing Kharif season.

He added that the Central Government under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendara Modi is very particular about ensuring supply of fertilisers in adequate quantity  at affordable prices to farmers within requisite time.

DBT sales of fertilizers have witnessed significant jump this Kharif season during the month of May and June across the country due to better than expected monsoon.

 In Madhya Pradesh, DBT sales of urea have increased by 176 percent and 167 percent in the month of May and June respectively as compared to corresponding month last year. However, urea availability position in Madhya Pradesh is comfortable at present and there is a closing stock of 4.63 lakh metric tonnes in the State as on 4 July 2020.

Department of Fertilisers is reviewing the situation very closely, and any additional demand of fertilizers will be met, in consultation with Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, through increased domestic production and imports.