Urea shortage hits Telangana; Centre allocates 3.06 lakh MT against 5L MT promised

Hyderabad: Telangana is grappling with urea shortage just as Kharif agricultural activity reaches its peak, with farmers across key districts voicing distress over inadequate fertilizer availability and rising input costs.

Fertilizer Deficit Disrupts Paddy and Cotton Cultivation

The state, which stands fifth in India for fertilizer usage at an average of 173 kg per acre, is facing a shortfall that could severely impact paddy and cotton yields this season.

The Central government had allocated five lakh metric tonnes of urea to Telangana between April and June 2025, but only 3.06 lakh metric tonnes were supplied, leaving a deficit of 1.94 lakh metric tonnes.

For July, the Centre has committed to sending 1.60 lakh metric tonnes, of which 60 per cent is to be imported. However, with no ships yet assigned to transport the imported urea, concerns about further delays are mounting.

Farmers Queue Up, Face Price Surge

In Adilabad’s Talamadugu mandal, farmers have been seen queuing at fertilizer distribution centres, clutching Aadhaar cards to verify identity in hopes of securing bags of urea. Many, however, are returning empty-handed.

With demand outweighing supply, urea prices in some areas have risen steeply. A 45-kg bag, which should cost Rs 266.50 to Rs 268 under the subsidy scheme, is being sold for Rs 300 to Rs 325 in local markets.

“This shortage is making it difficult to start transplantation on time. If we miss this window, the whole season suffers,” said a farmer from Nalgonda.

Protests have erupted in certain villages, and agriculture officials warn that similar unrest is likely to spread to other paddy-dominated districts, including Miryalaguda, Suryapet, Kamareddy, Nizamabad, and Khammam, unless the situation is brought under control swiftly.

State Seeks Urgent Central Intervention

Telangana Agriculture Minister Tummala Nageswara Rao has written to key Union Ministers—JP Nadda, G Kishan Reddy, and Bandi Sanjay Kumar—urging immediate steps to mitigate the crisis.

In his letter, Rao made three urgent requests:

1. Immediate allocation of ships to transport the pending 0.97 lakh metric tonnes of imported urea scheduled for July.

2. Increased supply from Ramagundam Fertilizers and Chemicals Limited (RFCL) from the current 30,800 tonnes to 60,000 tonnes.

3. Additional domestic urea allocation to offset the April–June deficit.

Rao underlined the time-sensitive nature of the problem, stating, “Swift intervention is critical to protect the interests of Telangana’s farmers and to ensure the success of this year’s Kharif crop.”

Supply Chain and Distribution Concerns

Agriculture department sources indicate that while Telangana’s internal distribution mechanisms are in place, the absence of sufficient stock at the entry point has stalled operations across mandals.

Experts caution that if the issue persists, it could lead to a domino effect on crop productivity, farmer incomes, and food supply chains in the coming months.