Lok Sabha Question No. 2098 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-08-01
Subject: Uninterrupted Supply of Urea
Ministry: CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS
Asked by: Dr. Rajkumar Sangwan

## MINISTRY OF CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA DEPARTMENT OF FERTILIZERS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2098 TO BE ANSWERED ON: 01.08.2025

## Uninterrupted Supply of Urea

## 2098:  DR. RAJKUMAR SANGWAN:

Will the Minister of CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS be pleased to state:

- (a) the details of  the  arrangements  made  by  the  Government  to  ensure uninterrupted supply of Urea, DAP and other essential fertilizers during the Rabi and Kharif seasons across the country, State-Wise, especially in Bagpat district of Uttar Pradesh;
- (b) whether the farmers have benefitted from the use of the Neem coated Urea, if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) whether the  use  of  'Neem  coated  Urea'  has  significantly  reduced  the  blackmarketing and misuse of Urea and if so, the details of the decline reported?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF CHEMICALS & FERTILIZERS

## (SMT. ANUPRIYA PATEL)

- (a) Following steps are taken by the Government every season for ensuring timely and  adequate  availability  of  fertilizers  in  the  country,  including  the  State  of  Uttar Pradesh:
- i. Before the commencement  of  each cropping season, Department of Agriculture  and  Farmers  Welfare  (DA&FW),  in  consultation  with  all  the  State Governments, assesses the state-wise & month-wise requirement of fertilizers.
- ii. On  the  basis  of  requirement  projected,  D/o  Fertilizers  allocates  adequate quantities  of  fertilizers  to  States  by  issuing  monthly  supply  plan  and  continuously monitors the availability.
- iii. The movement of all major subsidized fertilizers is monitored throughout the country  by  an  on-line  web  based  monitoring  system  called  integrated  Fertilizer Monitoring System (iFMS);

iv. Regular Weekly Video Conference is conducted jointly by DA&FW and D/o Fertilizers with State Agriculture Officials and corrective actions are taken to dispatch fertilizers as indicated by the State Governments.

However, distribution of fertilizers within the State at district level is done by the State government.

(b) During  the  year  2015,  Government made it  mandatory  for all  the  domestic producers and importers of urea to supply 100% Neem Coated Urea. Subsequent to the introduction of Neem Coated Urea (NCU), one of the primary benefits of Neem Coating is that due to slow release, the consumption of NCU reduces as compared to  normal  urea.  A  study  report  prepared  by  Agricultural  Development  and  Rural Transformation Centre (ADRTC), Bengaluru, in June 2017 on the impact of Neem Coated Urea shows that introduction of NCU has led to an improvement in soil quality, decrease in cost of pest & disease control and weed management, improvement in the yield of all crops and their by-products and higher incremental income in case of tur dal, followed by sugarcane, soybean, paddy, jute and maize crops. Another study report prepared by M/s Centre for Market Research & Social Development (CMSD) has found that neem coating of urea has led to an increase in land fertility, higher production of crops and a reduction in consumption of NCU compared to normal urea.

(c) Fertilizer is declared as an essential commodity and is notified under Fertilizer Control Order, 1985 and Fertilizer (Movement Control) Order, 1973. State Governments  are  adequately  empowered  under  FCO  to  stop  black  marketing  of fertilizers and to take punitive action against any person / fertilizer company involved in black marketing of fertilizers by violating the provisions of Essential Commodities Act, 1955 and Fertilizer Control Order 1985 (FCO).

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