Govt prioritises gas supply to fertiliser plants amid global supply concerns

New Delhi, Mar 10 (UNI) The government has included fertiliser plants in the priority list for natural gas allocation, aiming to safeguard domestic fertiliser production amid concerns over global supply disruptions.
Officials said the priority allocation is expected to help maintain fertiliser availability for farmers during the upcoming Kharif sowing season.
The decision was discussed at a high-level meeting held at the Department of Fertilisers on Tuesday, attended by senior officials from fertiliser companies as well as representatives from the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas. According to the department, companies shared their preparedness and operational challenges during the meeting.
Under the Natural Gas (Supply Regulation) Order, 2026, fertiliser units have been placed under “Priority Sector-2”, ensuring they receive at least 70 per cent of their average natural gas consumption based on usage during the previous six months.
The Department of Fertilisers said the move is intended to protect fertiliser production from potential disruptions in liquefied natural gas (LNG) supplies linked to geopolitical tensions in West Asia.
The government also said it has built up fertiliser stocks ahead of the sowing season. As of March 10, India’s total fertiliser inventory stood at 180.12 lakh metric tonnes (LMT), compared with 131.79 LMT during the same period last year.
The stockpile includes 61.51 LMT of urea, 25.17 LMT of diammonium phosphate (DAP), and 56.30 LMT of NPK fertilisers. Inventories of muriate of potash (MOP) and single super phosphate (SSP) stood at 12.90 LMT and 24.24 LMT, respectively.
Officials said advance stocking during periods of lower demand contributed to the higher reserves.
To ensure continued supply, the government has also imported 98 LMT of urea as of February 2026, with an additional 17 LMT expected over the next three months.
The department said these measures are aimed at preventing supply disruptions and maintaining fertiliser availability for farmers despite potential volatility in global energy and shipping markets. UNI