Centre raises fertilizer subsidy for kharif season

Amid concerns of a possible increase in fertilizer prices on account of the situation in West Asia, the Union Cabinet here on Monday approved an increase of about 12% in nutrient-based subsidy for Phosphatic and Potassic (P&K) fertilizers for the ongoing kharif crop season. Effective April 1 and up to September 30 this year, the tentative budgetary requirement for the subsidy will be ₹ 41,533.81 crore. “This is approximately ₹4,317 crore more than the budgetary requirement for kharif 2025 season. The budget for kharif 2025 was ₹ 37,216.15 crore,” the Union Government said in a release issued after the meeting of the Cabinet.

Talking to the reporters, Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said be it COVID years or West Asia crisis, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has remained as a safety shield for farmers, insulating farmers from global price volatility.

The Government maintained that by increasing the subsidy, the availability of fertilizers to farmers at subsidised, affordable and reasonable prices will be ensured. It said the move will also result in the rationalisation of subsidy on P&K fertilisers in view of recent trends in the international prices of fertilizers and inputs.