Lok Sabha Question No. 189 (STARRED), answered on 2025-12-12
Subject: Shortage of Fertilizer in Kerala
Ministry: CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS
Asked by: Shri K Sudhakaran

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

## LOK SABHA

STARRED QUESTION NO.189* TO BE ANSWERED

ON: 12.12.2025

## SHORTAGE OF FERTILIZER IN KERALA

## 189*: SHRI K SUDHAKARAN:

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

- (a) whether  the  Government  is  aware  of  the  frequent  and  acute  localized shortages  of  non-urea  fertilizers,  specifically  Muriate  of  Potash  (MOP)  and  NPK Complex Fertilizers, reported  by  farmers and  plantation  sectors in  Kerala  during peak application seasons, if so, the details therof;
- (b) the reasons for the observed price spikes in non-urea fertilizers, despite the existing subsidy mechanisms and the steps taken to stabilize the market prices of MOP and NPK Complex Fertilizers to ensure affordability for the sensitive plantation economy of Kerala;
- (c) whether  the  Government  has  received  reports  concerning  the  alleged diversion of highly-subsidized Urea for non-agricultural or industrial purposes within Kerala, thereby exacerbating the shortages for legitimate farmers; and
- (d) if  so,  the  measures  proposed  to  be  implemented  by  the  Government  to address supply chain bottlenecks, prevent diversion of subsidized fertilizers and to ensure timely and adequate supply to the agricultural retail points across the State, district-wise?

## ANSWER

MINISTER FOR CHEMICALS & FERTILIZERS AND HEALTH & FAMILY WELFARE

## (SHRI JAGAT PRAKASH NADDA)

- (a) to (d):  A statement is laid on the table of the House.

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## STATEMENT REFERRED TO LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 189* FOR 12.12.2025 REGARDING 'SHORTAGE OF FERTILIZER IN KERALA' TABLED BY SHRI K SUDHAKARAN.

- (a) The availability of non-urea fertilizers viz. DAP, MOP and NPKS has remained adequate in the State of Kerala during the ongoing Rabi 2025-26 season and in Kharif 2025 season. The information regarding requirement, availability, sales and closing stock of these fertilizers in Kerala during these 2 seasons is shown in the table given below:

## I. RABI 2025-26 (TILL 08.12.25)

## <ALL FIG. IN MT>

|   S.NO | PRODUCT GROUP   | PRO- RATA REQUIREMENT TILL 08.12.2025   | AVAILABILITY TILL 08.12.2025   | DBT SALES TILL 08.12.2025   | CLOSING STOCK AS ON 08.12.2025   |
|--------|-----------------|-----------------------------------------|--------------------------------|-----------------------------|----------------------------------|
|      1 | 3,367           | 7,410                                   | 5,590                          | 1,820                       | DAP                              |
|      2 | 26,011          | 34,610                                  | 19,790                         | 14,820                      | MOP                              |
|      3 | 31,387          | 56,310                                  | 32,260                         | 24,050                      | NPKS                             |

## II. KHARIF 2025

|   S.NO | PRODUCT GROUP   | SEASONAL REQUIREMENT   | AVAILABILITY   | DBT SALES   | CLOSING STOCK   |
|--------|-----------------|------------------------|----------------|-------------|-----------------|
|      1 | 12,000          | 17,500                 | 11,130         | 6,370       | DAP             |
|      2 | 40,020          | 57,360                 | 46,910         | 10,450      | MOP             |
|      3 | 69,000          | 89,280                 | 64,230         | 25,050      | NPKS            |

Further, following steps are taken by the Government every season for ensuring timely and adequate availability of fertilizers in the country, including the State of Kerala:

(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  by  DA&FW,  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 Management System (iFMS).

(iv) The State Governments are regularly advised to coordinate with manufacturers and importers for streamlining the supplies through timely placement of indents.

(v) Regular  coordination  meetings  are  held  with  Ministry  of  Railways  for  giving sufficient rakes, priority to fertilizers and for timely evacuation of rakes for States.

However, the assessment and distribution of fertilizes within the State at district level is done by the concerned State government.

(b) The  Government  has  implemented  Nutrient  Based  Subsidy  Scheme  w.e.f. 01.04.2010 for Phosphatic and Potassic (P&K) Fertilizers.  Under NBS Scheme, MRP of  P&K fertilizers  are  decontrolled and companies are free to fix  MRP as per their business  dynamics  at  a  reasonable  level.  The  Reasonability  Guidelines  dated 15.11.2019 and 18.01.2024 have been issued to ensure reasonableness of MRPs of P&K fertilizers fixed by the companies. The NBS subsidy is provided to manufacturer/ importer on notified P&K fertilizers on its PoS sale during the season, depending on their  nutrient  content  to  ensure  availability  of  fertilizers  to  farmers.  The  volatility  in international prices of key fertilizers and raw materials is considered while fixing NBS rates  for  P&K  fertilizers  so  that  fertilizers  remain  affordable  to  the  farmers.  NBS scheme  is  implemented  on  pan-India  basis  including  the  State  of  Kerala  and  no regional differentiation is made.

(c) & (d) In order to address the issues such as diversion, hoarding, black-marketing and  over-pricing,  fertilizers  are  declared  as  an  essential  commodity  under  the Essential Commodities Act, 1955 and notified under Fertilizer Control Order, 1985. State Governments are empowered to take action against persons involved in said malpractices, as per provisions of EC Act. Any complaints received at Department of Fertilizers level regarding these malpractices is sent to concerned State Government to  take  appropriate  action  under  Essential  Commodities  Act,  1955  and  Fertilizer Control Order, 1985. Accordingly, the details regarding enforcement measures taken by the State of Kerala, as informed by them, from 01.04.2025 to 28.11.2025, to curb these  malpractices,  including diversion of subsidized  fertilizers, is placed at Annexure .

*******

## Annexure

Annexure referred to in reply to part (c) &  (d)  of Lok Sabha  Starred  Question No 189  for answering on 12.12.2025

| Cumulative Statement from April 25 to November 25 (as on 28.11.2025)                                                                          | Cumulative Statement from April 25 to November 25 (as on 28.11.2025)                                                                          | Cumulative Statement from April 25 to November 25 (as on 28.11.2025)                                                                          | Cumulative Statement from April 25 to November 25 (as on 28.11.2025)                                                                          | Cumulative Statement from April 25 to November 25 (as on 28.11.2025)                                                                          | Cumulative Statement from April 25 to November 25 (as on 28.11.2025)                                                                          | Cumulative Statement from April 25 to November 25 (as on 28.11.2025)                                                                          | Cumulative Statement from April 25 to November 25 (as on 28.11.2025)                                                                          | Cumulative Statement from April 25 to November 25 (as on 28.11.2025)                                                                          | Cumulative Statement from April 25 to November 25 (as on 28.11.2025)                                                                          | Cumulative Statement from April 25 to November 25 (as on 28.11.2025)                                                                          | Cumulative Statement from April 25 to November 25 (as on 28.11.2025)                                                                          | Cumulative Statement from April 25 to November 25 (as on 28.11.2025)                                                                          | Cumulative Statement from April 25 to November 25 (as on 28.11.2025)                                                                          | Cumulative Statement from April 25 to November 25 (as on 28.11.2025)                                                                          | Cumulative Statement from April 25 to November 25 (as on 28.11.2025)                                                                          | Cumulative Statement from April 25 to November 25 (as on 28.11.2025)                                                                          |
|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Action taken by the State Government of Kerala to check black marketing, hoarding, quality check, diversion etc from 01.04.2025 to 28.11.2025 | Action taken by the State Government of Kerala to check black marketing, hoarding, quality check, diversion etc from 01.04.2025 to 28.11.2025 | Action taken by the State Government of Kerala to check black marketing, hoarding, quality check, diversion etc from 01.04.2025 to 28.11.2025 | Action taken by the State Government of Kerala to check black marketing, hoarding, quality check, diversion etc from 01.04.2025 to 28.11.2025 | Action taken by the State Government of Kerala to check black marketing, hoarding, quality check, diversion etc from 01.04.2025 to 28.11.2025 | Action taken by the State Government of Kerala to check black marketing, hoarding, quality check, diversion etc from 01.04.2025 to 28.11.2025 | Action taken by the State Government of Kerala to check black marketing, hoarding, quality check, diversion etc from 01.04.2025 to 28.11.2025 | Action taken by the State Government of Kerala to check black marketing, hoarding, quality check, diversion etc from 01.04.2025 to 28.11.2025 | Action taken by the State Government of Kerala to check black marketing, hoarding, quality check, diversion etc from 01.04.2025 to 28.11.2025 | Action taken by the State Government of Kerala to check black marketing, hoarding, quality check, diversion etc from 01.04.2025 to 28.11.2025 | Action taken by the State Government of Kerala to check black marketing, hoarding, quality check, diversion etc from 01.04.2025 to 28.11.2025 | Action taken by the State Government of Kerala to check black marketing, hoarding, quality check, diversion etc from 01.04.2025 to 28.11.2025 | Action taken by the State Government of Kerala to check black marketing, hoarding, quality check, diversion etc from 01.04.2025 to 28.11.2025 | Action taken by the State Government of Kerala to check black marketing, hoarding, quality check, diversion etc from 01.04.2025 to 28.11.2025 | Action taken by the State Government of Kerala to check black marketing, hoarding, quality check, diversion etc from 01.04.2025 to 28.11.2025 | Action taken by the State Government of Kerala to check black marketing, hoarding, quality check, diversion etc from 01.04.2025 to 28.11.2025 | Action taken by the State Government of Kerala to check black marketing, hoarding, quality check, diversion etc from 01.04.2025 to 28.11.2025 |
|                                                                                                                                               |                                                                                                                                               | Black Marketing                                                                                                                               | Black Marketing                                                                                                                               | Black Marketing                                                                                                                               | Hoarding                                                                                                                                      | Hoarding                                                                                                                                      | Hoarding                                                                                                                                      | Sub Standard Quality                                                                                                                          | Sub Standard Quality                                                                                                                          | Sub Standard Quality                                                                                                                          | Diversion                                                                                                                                     | Diversion                                                                                                                                     | Diversion                                                                                                                                     | Convict ion with details*                                                                                                                     | Toatal                                                                                                                                        | Toatal                                                                                                                                        |
| States                                                                                                                                        | No. of Inspecti ons /raids                                                                                                                    | Show cause notice issued                                                                                                                      | No. of licenses cancelled/ su - spended                                                                                                       | FIR registered                                                                                                                                | Show cause notice issued                                                                                                                      | No. of licenses cancelled/ su - spended                                                                                                       | FIR registered                                                                                                                                | Show cause notice issued                                                                                                                      | No. of licenses cancelle d/ su - spended                                                                                                      | FIR registered                                                                                                                                | Show cause notice issued                                                                                                                      | No. of licenses cancelled/ su - spended                                                                                                       | FIR Regist- ered                                                                                                                              | Show cause notice issued                                                                                                                      | No. of licenses cancelled/ suspended                                                                                                          | FIR registered                                                                                                                                |
| Kerala                                                                                                                                        | 1299                                                                                                                                          | 0                                                                                                                                             | 0                                                                                                                                             | 0                                                                                                                                             | 0                                                                                                                                             | 0                                                                                                                                             | 0                                                                                                                                             | 48                                                                                                                                            | 0 0                                                                                                                                           | 4                                                                                                                                             | 0                                                                                                                                             | 3                                                                                                                                             | NIL                                                                                                                                           | 52                                                                                                                                            | 0                                                                                                                                             | 3                                                                                                                                             |