Demand estimate of fertilizer for Rabi 2026-27 may be 2 LT higher

The two-day Rabi conference, which begins from September 28, is likely to finalise the fertilizer demand after consultations with States, sources said. However, a month-wise preliminary estimate has been made of the requirement of these subsidised fertilizers during October 2026-March 2027, based on the feedback from the States, the sources added.

According to the estimate, the Urea demand has been pegged at 199.27 lt, that of DAP at 55.07 lt, MOP 16.4 lt and Complex 79.12 lt. Against this, the closing stock of fertilizer in the country as on September 18 was 141.69 lt — 64.91 lt Urea, 22.83 lt DAP, 9.38 lt MOP and 44.57 lt Complex.

As fertilizer demand is related to rainfall, particularly in rain-fed areas and to some extent in the canal irrigated land, due to 20 per cent reduce than healthy rainfall till during September 1-23, the sales of fertilizers also dropped. However, due to low pressure and deep depression, there was heavy rainfall after that which experts said could boost demand particularly in those pockets where there was precipitation.

Official data show that sales of Urea were 13.15 lt, DAP 4.39 lt, MOP 0.81 lt and Complex 3.25 lt during September 4-18. Against the monthly demand to whole of September estimated 54.48 lt – 26.77 lt Urea, 10.2 lt DAP, 2.87 lt MOP and 14.64 lt Complex — sales were only 21.6 lt or less than 40 per cent in 15 days to which data are available.

Meanwhile, the Department of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare on Sunday said that the annual Rabi Conference will bring together State Agriculture Ministers, senior officials of the Central and State Governments, ICAR and other stakeholders to deliberate on key priorities and preparedness to the season.

The conference will focus on strengthening Centre-State coordination and evolving a coordinated, outcome-oriented strategy to enhancing agricultural production, productivity, sustainability and farmers’ incomes. Fertilizer availability and balanced consumption of fertilizers among many other issues will be discussed on September 29.

Key issues to be deliberated upon will include the Mission to Aatmanirbharta in Pulses, oilseeds and oil palm, horticulture, cotton, seed availability and reforms in the seed value chain, natural farming, soil systems health, farm mechanisation, FPO financing and infrastructure, marketing reforms, PM Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana, Kisan Credit Card coverage, Digital Agriculture, PM Fasal Bima Yojana, plant protection and agricultural statistics, it said.

Published on September 27, 2026