Lok Sabha Question No. 720 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-07-26
Subject: Supply of Fertilizers
Ministry: CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS
Asked by: Shri Rahul Kaswan

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS DEPARTMENT OF FERTILIZERS LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 720 TO BE ANSWERED

## ON: 26.07.2024

## SUPPLY OF FERTILIZER

720:  SHRI RAHUL KASWAN:

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

- (a) the details of supply of fertilizers against the demand in the country during the past three years, State-wise and year-wise;
- (b) whether shortage of fertilizers has been observed in some parts of the country recently, particularly in Rajasthan;
- (c) if  so,  the  details  thereof  along  with  the  corrective  measures  taken  by  the Government in this regards, State-wise including Rajasthan: and
- (d) the steps taken/proposed to be taken by the Government for ensuring timely and  adequate  supply  of  fertilizers  of  standard  quality  at  affordable  prices  in  the country?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS (SMT. ANUPRIYA PATEL )

- (a) & (b):  The availability of fertilizers i.e. Urea, DAP, MOP and NPKS has remained comfortable  across the states in the country including the state of Rajasthan during the past 3 years (till June 2024) is given in the Annexure.
- (c): In view of (a) & (b) above, no such question arises.
- (d): The following steps are taken by the Government every season  for ensuring timely and adequate supply of fertilizers of standard quality at affordable prices in the country:
- 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,  Department  of  Fertilizers allocates  sufficient/  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  DoF  with  State  Agriculture  Officials  and  corrective  actions  are taken to dispatch fertilizers as indicated by the State Governments.
- v. The gap between demand (requirement) and production of fertilizers is  met  through  imports.  The  import  for  the  season  is  also  finalized well in advance to ensure timely availability.

The  quality of  fertilizers  is  governed  under  the  provision  of  the  Fertiliser (Control)  Order,  1985.  Clause  19 of  the  Order  strictly  prohibits  the  sale  of  fertilizers which  are  not  of  prescribed  standards.    The  State  Governments  are  the  actual enforcement agency and are adequately empowered to enforce the provision of FCO, 1985.

Further, under Urea Subsidy Scheme (USS), Urea is provided to the farmers at  a  statutorily  notified  Maximum Retail Price (MRP). Besides, under Nutrient Based Subsidy Policy, a fix amount of subsidy is notified on annual/semi-annual basis, which ensures availability of P&K fertilizers at reasonable prices to farmers. Accordingly, all farmers are being supplied fertilizers at the subsidized rates.

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