The two-day Rabi conference is likely to finalise the fertilizer demand after consultations with States
The government is set to estimate a demand of nearly 350 lakh tonnes (lt) of fertilisers – Urea, DAP, MOP and Complex (mix of nutrients N, P, K, S) for ensuing Rabi season starting from October 1, which is a tad higher from year-ago level, even as during Kharif season sales were below expectation amid drought declared in many tehsils (talukas) in Karnataka and Maharashtra.
The two-day Rabi conference, which begins from October 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.
Rain-fed areas
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 lower than normal 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 for 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 for 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 for the season.
Key issues
The conference will focus on strengthening Centre-State coordination and evolving a coordinated, outcome-oriented strategy for enhancing agricultural production, productivity, sustainability and farmers’ incomes. Fertilizer availability and balanced use of fertilizers among many other issues will be discussed on September 29.
Key issues to be deliberated upon will include the Mission for Aatmanirbharta in Pulses, oilseeds and oil palm, horticulture, cotton, seed availability and reforms in the seed value chain, natural farming, soil 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
