With Kharif harvesting yet to be completed in Nagpur district, the procurement window for Rabi fertilisers has begun, with the district carrying a substantial 50,102 metric tonnes (MT) of fertiliser stock from Kharif. The buffer assumes significance amid External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar’s recent warning about growing global food-security risks. Samadhan Dhuldhule, Agriculture Development Officer, Zilla Parishad Nagpur, said the Kharif fertiliser procurement period runs from April 1 to September 30, while the Rabi procurement period began on October 1, 2026 and will continue until March 31, 2027.

 

The district received 2,31,362 MT against Kharif consumption of 1,74,700 MT, leaving a surplus of 56,662 MT, of which 50,102 MT have been carried forward. The Rabi requirement is estimated at 1,00,350 MT, leaving around 50,248 MT to be supplied. Dhuldhule said there is currently no demand-supply problem and expressed confidence that the remaining requirement will be met through Central Government allocations released in fortnightly intervals. Current stocks are distributed across Krushi Kendras.

 

Mauda has the highest urea stock at 59,780 bags of 45 kg each across 143 Krushi Kendras. It also leads Nitrogen-Phosphorus-Potassium-Sulphur (NPKS) stocks with 35,875 bags of 50 kg each across 112 centres. Kuhi has the highest Single Super Phosphate (SSP) stock at 36,414 bags of 50 kg each across 126 Krushi Kendras. Kharif demand stood at 53,000 MT of urea, 42,800 MT of SSP, 52,400 MT of NPKS and 24,600 MT of DAP. India imports all its Potash requirement, around 90 per cent of phosphate and about 25 per cent of urea demand. Potash provides the Potassium (K) component of NPK/NPKS fertilisers, making international supplies crucial to Indian agriculture. For Nagpur, there is currently no shortage now but the coming Rabi procurement cycle will test the district’s ability to maintain its buffer amid global uncertainty.

 

Despite a comfortable fertiliser stock, farmers face a bigger uncertainty -- what will happen to Rabi? Experts fear that possible Super El Nino conditions could further disrupt weather after a difficult Kharif season. Drought has already been declared in 95 talukas across Vidarbha (with 27 percent ran deficit all over) leaving farmers worried about crop prospects and soil moisture. India’s diplomatic channels may help secure fertiliser supplies despite global disruptions and the district may have enough fertiliser in its godowns-- yet its farmers remain exposed to the skies.