The government on Tuesday said fertiliser plants have been placed under Priority Sector-2 for natural gas supply, ensuring they receive at least 70% of
their average gas consumption to protect domestic fertiliser production from potential global supply disruptions arising from the ongoing conflict in West Asia.
The Ministry of Fertilisers notified the decision under the Natural Gas (Supply Regulation) Order, 2026 on March 9, stating that the average consumption will be calculated based on the previous six months’ usage. The move is aimed at safeguarding fertiliser output from possible liquefied natural gas (LNG) supply disruptions linked to geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, especially ahead of the crucial Kharif sowing season.
The decision follows a high-level meeting held by the Department of Fertilisers on Tuesday, attended by senior officials from fertiliser companies and representatives from the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, where preparedness and potential challenges were reviewed.
The department also highlighted that India’s fertiliser reserves have risen to 180.12 lakh tonnes ahead of Kharif, marking a 36.6% increase from 131.79 lakh tonnes a year earlier. The stockpile includes 61.51 lakh tonnes of urea, 25.17 lakh tonnes of DAP, 56.30 lakh tonnes of NPK/NPKS, 12.90 lakh tonnes of potash, and 24.24 lakh tonnes of SSP.
On the import front, India has already brought in 98 lakh tonnes of urea as of February 2026, with another 17 lakh tonnes expected over the next three months. The government said its advance-stocking strategy during periods of lower consumption has helped build a substantial buffer, ensuring fertiliser availability for farmers even if global shipping or LNG supplies face disruptions.
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