Indian Farmers Buy 3.5 Times More Organic Manure After the Iran War
Organic manure purchases by Indian farmers surged 3.5 times during the Kharif 2026 season, reflecting a growing shift towards sustainable nutrient management. Despite concerns over global supply disruptions, the government maintains that fertilizer stocks remain comfortable, with inventories exceeding 51 percent of seasonal requirements.
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During the Kharif 2026 season, farmers across India have purchased organic manure in significant quantities. Farmers have purchased 11.17 lakh tonnes of organic manure (FOM, LFOM and PROM) during the ongoing Kharif season, nearly 3.5 times higher than the 3.20 lakh tonnes purchased during the corresponding period last year. This substantial increase reflects a positive trend towards greater adoption of organic nutrient sources and indicates a gradual shift in farmers' preference from chemical fertilisers to organic alternatives.
According to the central government, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat and Maharashtra accounted for the largest share of organic manure purchases. Punjab recorded purchases of 2.83 lakh tonnes, followed by Uttar Pradesh at 2.71 lakh tonnes, Haryana at 1.33 lakh tonnes, Madhya Pradesh at 1.25 lakh tonnes, Gujarat at 0.96 lakh tonnes and Maharashtra at 0.84 lakh tonnes.
Amid the ongoing conflict in West Asia, concerns have grown over the availability of chemical fertilisers. The Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilisers is working to ensure adequate supplies across the country. However, reports from several regions indicate that farmers are facing difficulties in accessing fertilisers.
Meanwhile, the central government has reiterated that there is currently no major challenge in the availability of fertilisers for the ongoing Kharif season. The overall stock position of fertilisers in the country remains comfortable.
For Kharif 2026, the fertiliser requirement has been reassessed by the Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare at 383.9 lakh metric tonnes (LMT). Earlier, fertiliser consumption during the Kharif season was estimated at around 390.5 lakh tonnes. However, in view of forecasts of below-normal rainfall during the monsoon season, the projected consumption has been revised downward. The estimated requirement of urea has been reduced from 194 lakh tonnes to 190.3 lakh tonnes, while the requirement for diammonium phosphate (DAP) has been revised from 59.1 lakh tonnes to 56.2 lakh tonnes.
According to the government, the country currently holds fertiliser stocks of 197.56 lakh tonnes, which is more than 51 per cent of the total projected requirement. Normally, stocks at this time of the year are around 33 per cent of the seasonal requirement. Government data show that, as of 7 June 2026, farmers had already purchased 86.65 lakh tonnes of chemical fertilisers, accounting for 22.57 per cent of the estimated seasonal requirement.
The government has stated that more than 25 lakh tonnes of imported urea, DAP and NPK fertilisers are expected to arrive at Indian ports during June. In addition, a new global tender process for the procurement of 17 lakh tonnes of urea is currently underway.
