Key facts
- Two new urea plants with a total annual capacity of 25.4 lakh tonnes are nearing production.
- This expansion aims to reduce India's reliance on urea imports.
- Six mega urea plants have been established since 2014, adding 76.2 lakh tonnes of annual capacity.
- Domestic urea production reached a record 314.07 lakh tonnes in 2023-24.
- Retail prices for fertilizers have remained unchanged for Indian farmers despite global price surges.
The Indian government announced that two new urea plants, with a combined annual production capacity of 25.4 lakh tonnes, are set to commence operations soon. This development is part of a broader strategy to enhance self-reliance in fertilizer production and reduce dependence on imports, which exceeded 100 lakh tonnes in the 2025-26 fiscal year.
The Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers detailed the sector's progress under the Modi government, noting that six large urea plants have been established since 2014, contributing 76.2 lakh tonnes to annual capacity. The ministry emphasized proactive measures taken to ensure fertilizer sufficiency amidst global challenges such as geopolitical conflicts, rising prices, natural gas shortages, and shipping delays.
India's domestic urea production has seen significant growth, reaching an all-time high of 314.07 lakh tonnes in 2023-24, compared to 225 lakh tonnes in 2014-15. Phosphatic and Potassic (P&K) fertilizer manufacturing also reached a historic high of 211.22 lakh tonnes in 2024-25. The government has committed to absorbing international price shocks, ensuring that retail prices for farmers remain heavily subsidized, with a 45-kg bag of urea costing Rs 266.50 against a global market price exceeding Rs 4100.