Sandip Das

The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Chemicals and Fertilisers recommends long-term agreements, joint ventures, and production facilities abroad to secure fertilizer raw materials and stabilize prices amid global fluctuations.

Fertiliser sales and stocks indicate sufficient supply for the Kharif season despite West Asia crisis disruptions. Diversified imports and domestic production help meet farmers' nutrient demand efficiently.

The government has imposed stock holding limits on sugar dealers from August to November to curb hoarding and speculation, aiming to stabilize prices and ensure adequate domestic supply. Dealers must declare stocks weekly online.

Maize has emerged as India's top feedstock for biofuel production in ESY 2025–26, surpassing rice and sugarcane. Parliament data shows grain-based feedstocks now account for 72% of ethanol allocations, supported by FCI rice sales to distilleries at nearly 40% below acquisition costs.

The Ministry of Earth Sciences has warned that El Nino conditions intensified to moderate levels in July and could reach a very strong category by October–December 2026.

Despite normal rainfall in July boosting Kharif crop sowing, the IMD has warned of below-normal rains in August and September due to strengthening El Niño conditions, keeping total seasonal rainfall projected at 90% of LPA.

The Cabinet has approved a five-year extension of the PM-KISAN scheme through FY31 with a budget outlay of ₹3.15 lakh crore, continuing annual ₹6,000 cash transfers to 100 million farmers.

Driven by the Rs 11,040-crore NMEO-OP mission and private sector expansion, India is rapidly scaling up domestic palm oil cultivation to offset rising global import costs and reduce dependence on cooking oil imports.

The government may release pulses from buffer stocks if prices rise due to El Nino's impact on crop yields. Current stocks total 4.24 MT, with close monitoring of prices and crop prospects ongoing.

A parliamentary standing committee has urged the Indian government to formulate a contingency plan and establish strategic fertiliser reserves ahead of cropping seasons.