New Delhi/Chandigarh, March 27
Amid the ongoing conflict involving Iran, Israel and the United States, Member of Parliament Manish Tewari has raised concerns over India’s fertilizer imports from Gulf countries and questioned the central government’s preparedness.
Addressing the Lok Sabha, Tewari stated that between 2020 and 2025, India imported fertilizers worth nearly $11 billion from Gulf nations. He highlighted that around 49% of nitrogen-based fertilizers are sourced from countries like Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar, and the UAE.
Tewari further pointed out that the Strait of Hormuz has reportedly been closed for the past four weeks due to the conflict, with little indication of reopening soon. According to him, nearly 40 energy-related facilities have been damaged, and Qatar’s major fertilizer producer, Qatar Fertiliser Company, has also shut down operations despite having long-term agreements with India.
Tewari noted that while the government has sufficient fertilizer stock for the upcoming Kharif season, uncertainty remains regarding preparations for the next Rabi season. He also asked whether the government is considering policies related to agricultural decentralization and how it plans to manage other imports from the Gulf region.
Responding to the concerns, Union Minister for Chemicals and Fertilizers J. P. Nadda assured that adequate fertilizer supplies are available for the upcoming Kharif season. He added that the government is actively exploring alternative markets and arranging raw materials to ensure sufficient availability for the next Rabi season.
