The Indian government is safeguarding local farmers from global market fluctuations by maintaining affordable prices for key fertilisers during the current Rabi 2025-26 season. The Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilisers disclosed that the Maximum Retail Price (MRP) of di-ammonium phosphate (DAP) remains steady at Rs 1,350 per 50 kg bag. To uphold this pricing stability, special provisions of Rs 3,500 per metric tonne (MT) have been put in place to cover additional costs like logistics and taxes, ensuring a 4% reasonable return for manufacturers.
As of March 5, the availability of phosphatic and potassic (P&K) fertilisers has been sufficient nationwide. Data reveals that DAP availability stands at 71.89 lakh metric tonnes (LMT) against a requirement of 51.38 LMT, while MOP availability is at 18.17 LMT compared to a requirement of 14.18 LMT. Moreover, the total availability of NPKS fertilisers is 108.39 LMT, surpassing the pro-rata requirement of 76.48 LMT.
The government employs the integrated Fertiliser Management System (iFMS), an online platform, to track the movement of subsidised fertilisers in real-time. This system, coupled with collaboration with the Ministry of Railways, ensures efficient transportation of stocks to various states. Under the revised Nutrient Based Subsidy (NBS) framework, the government has introduced additional fertiliser grades like 10:26:26 and 12:32:16, offering subsidies based on nitrogen, phosphorus, and potash content to enable farmers to select nutrients tailored to their crops and soil needs.
The average retail prices for key grades during the 2025-26 period are as follows: NPK 10-26-26 at Rs 1,814.82, NPK 12-32-16 at Rs 1,711.87, and muriate of potash (MOP) at Rs 1,710.54 per 50 kg bag. This strategic approach not only promotes balanced nutrient application but also aims to reduce overreliance on urea, thereby preserving soil health.
