In a remarkable display of coordination, foresight, and cooperative strength, India has successfully ensured the adequate availability of Urea for farmers across the country during the Kharif 2025 season.
The Department of Fertilizers (DoF), through timely planning and joint efforts with cooperatives like IFFCO and KRIBHCO, achieved seamless supply and distribution of fertilizers, safeguarding India’s food security and supporting rural livelihoods.
According to official data, the Department ensured a total Urea availability of 230.53 lakh metric tons (LMT) against a projected demand of 185.39 LMT, surpassing the total sales of 193.20 LMT. This substantial buffer reflects not only efficient management by the government but also the critical role played by leading fertilizer cooperatives in production, logistics, and last-mile delivery to farmers. The higher consumption of Urea, about 4.08 LMT more than Kharif 2024, indicates both increased cropped area due to a favorable monsoon and the strengthened fertilizer supply network led by cooperative institutions.
IFFCO (Indian Farmers Fertiliser Cooperative Limited) and KRIBHCO (Krishak Bharati Cooperative Limited), the twin pillars of India’s cooperative fertilizer ecosystem, were instrumental in maintaining this balance between demand and supply. IFFCO, one of the world’s largest cooperative fertilizer producers, operated its plants at near full capacity while ensuring timely movement of stock across states.
Similarly, KRIBHCO intensified its production and logistics operations to meet regional demands and supported the government’s mission to build a robust buffer for the upcoming Rabi 2025–26 season. Both organizations, rooted in the cooperative ethos, worked closely with farmers’ societies and state governments to ensure that every bag of Urea reached the right hands, preventing hoarding or diversion.
A major factor behind this success was the sharp rise in imports during April–October 2025, when India imported 58.62 LMT of agricultural-grade Urea compared to 24.76 LMT in the same period last year. This surge in imports, along with domestic production averaging nearly 25 LMT per month, helped the government raise total Urea stock from 48.64 LMT on October 1 to 68.85 LMT by the end of the month. The months between July and October 2025 also witnessed record-high rake movements, demonstrating the efficiency of coordination between the Department of Fertilizers, Indian Railways, and major cooperatives.
In parallel, the government has been strengthening domestic production capacity to achieve Atmanirbharta (self-reliance) in Urea. Two upcoming projects, at Namrup in Assam and Talcher in Odisha, each with a production capacity of 12.7 LMT per year, are under execution. Several new proposals for expanding Urea output are also under consideration, which will further reduce import dependency.
States, in coordination with the Agriculture Department, have been deploying innovative digital and monitoring tools to ensure transparent distribution and curb malpractices such as diversion and black marketing. Cooperatives at the grassroots are playing a pivotal role in supporting these vigilance measures, ensuring that subsidized Urea benefits genuine farmers.
Through forward planning, efficient logistics, and the unwavering efforts of cooperative giants like IFFCO and KRIBHCO, India has not only secured ample Urea supply for Kharif 2025 but also created a robust foundation for Rabi 2025–26, reaffirming the cooperative sector’s indispensable role in sustaining the nation’s agricultural growth and food security.
