A pilot project on fertilizer sales through an application saved 1.47 billion rupees

As part of the Fertilizer Framework Scheme (FFS) launched in the Kharif 2026 season across 222 districts in 29 states and union territories, fertilizer sales decreased by 28 percent. This helped the government save ₹1,470 crore, as program participants can purchase subsidized fertilizers based on their available land and selected crops. This decline occurred against the backdrop of an increasing number of buyers: 46.97 million farmers purchased fertilizers in these districts, compared to 44.55 million a year earlier. Total sales amounted to 13.35 million tonnes against 18.30 million tonnes a year earlier. About 77 percent of the farmers had a Farmer ID (FID), and 15 percent were tenant farmers.

According to a presentation by Additional Secretary Pramod Kumar Meherda at the annual Rabi conference, in major agricultural states such as Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Karnataka, the drop in sales reached 75 percent. Experts note that the reduction in sales volumes was also linked to low rainfall in several regions. Regulating sales via an app or online helped eliminate queues at retail outlets, as farmers receive tokens indicating the time for fertilizer pickup. Punjab and Madhya Pradesh did not participate in the project: the former chose not to implement it, and the latter discontinued participation following farmers' protests.

Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh noted that participation in the pilot project is voluntary for the states. At the same time, he emphasized the need to reduce the use of chemical fertilizers for soil protection, as well as to prevent their misuse in order to reduce subsidy volumes. Fertilizer Secretary Rajat Kumar Mishra urged the states to combat the diversion of subsidized fertilizers for unintended uses, introduce balanced application of nutrients based on soil conditions, and, where possible, develop organic and natural farming. According to him, against the background of high global fertilizer prices, the current subsidy for the financial year may exceed ₹3 lakh crore. The conference also presented data on the growth of the subsidy burden per bag: for urea (45 kg), the amount rose from ₹1,350 to ₹2,775, and for DAP (50 kg) — from ₹2,102 to ₹3,523.