Bengaluru, April 2, Amid concerns arising from instability in the Middle East, the Karnataka Agriculture Department has initiated a series of measures to ensure adequate availability and effective management of fertilizers for the upcoming monsoon season.
Agriculture Minister N. Cheluvarayaswamy is overseeing the implementation of these steps.
A statement released by the office of Minister Cheluvarayaswamy on Thursday said that the geopolitical situation in the Middle East could disrupt the import of raw materials required for fertilizer production, raising concerns about supply constraints in the state.
In response, the department has adopted a multi-pronged strategy to safeguard fertilizer availability.
The central government has allocated 30.05 lakh metric tonnes of various fertilizers to Karnataka, of which 11.42 lakh metric tonnes are currently in stock as of April 1.
To further strengthen preparedness, the state has reinforced its buffer stock mechanism through the Karnataka State Cooperative Marketing Federation (KSCMF) and the Karnataka State Seeds Corporation (KSSC).
Currently, 28,224 metric tonnes of fertilizers are available under buffer stock, with a directive to maintain a mandatory 25 per cent stock of urea and DAP, Minister Cheluvarayaswamy stated.
Authorities have revised district-wise fertilizer allocation based on the average consumption over the past three years. Micro-level planning has also been undertaken at the taluk and hobli levels to ensure balanced distribution and prevent shortages, he said.
To regulate urea usage, the department has developed a Urea Distribution App based on the FRUITS (Farmer Registration and Unified Beneficiary Information System) database. The system enables controlled sales of urea based on farmers’ landholdings and cropping patterns.
The application is currently being implemented on a pilot basis in eight districts and is expected to be expanded across the state during the monsoon season, the Minister stated.
In a bid to curb misuse, special committees have been constituted at the state and district levels to monitor the diversion of subsidized urea for non-agricultural purposes. Violations will attract stringent action under the Fertiliser Control Order (FCO), 1985, and the Essential Commodities Act (ECA), 1985, he noted.
“The department has also intensified surveillance at interstate border check posts to prevent illegal transportation of urea. Weekly video conference meetings are being held to review fertilizer supply, sales, and stock positions across districts.
Alongside supply-side measures, the government is promoting balanced fertilizer use and encouraging farmers to adopt organic, bio-fertiliser, and natural farming practices. Under the ‘Vasudhamruta’ scheme, organic and bio-fertilisers are being provided to farmers at subsidised rates,” he stated.
Minister Cheluvarayaswamy said that the department, under the Minister’s leadership, has put in place strict precautionary and regulatory mechanisms to ensure that there is no shortage of fertilizers during the 2026 monsoon season.