New Delhi: The sowing season for Rabi crops including wheat is going on, but due to the crisis in the Red Sea, the biggest crisis facing the farmers is that of DAP. Every year the country needs 90 to 100 lakh tons of DAP for both Kharif and Rabi crops, of which about 40 percent is met through domestic production. For the rest we have to depend on other countries. This year also the need for about 93 lakh DAP has been stated in the country, but the availability of about 75 lakh tons of DAP is about 10 lakh tons, including both domestic production and import.

DAP comes from these countries

The crisis is visible, but the central government has assured the farmers that there will be no shortage of fertilizers. Emphasis is also being laid on the use of liquid version Nano DAP. Regarding the DAP crisis, the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers has clarified that our dependence on other countries is high. We have to import mainly from Russia, Jordan and Israel.
Houthi rebels increased tension

Muriate of Potash (MOP), the raw material for DAP, is imported from Jordan to the tune of 30 per cent and Israel to the tune of 15 per cent. Due to the recent attack by Houthi rebels, the Red Sea route has been blocked and the fertilizer ships have to be sent via South Africa. Due to this, a distance of about 6,500 km more has to be covered than before. It is taking about three weeks more time. Due to the increase in distance and time, the import cost of fertilizers has increased. International prices have also increased.

Demand for DAP is increasing

Despite all the challenges, the central government has kept the prices stable while continuing the availability of fertilizers to farmers at affordable rates. Farmers have to pay Rs 1,350 for every 50 kg DAP bag. The import of DAP is also increasing according to the need for modernization of agriculture and high productivity rate. In 2019-2020, 48.70 lakh tonnes of DAP was imported, which increased to 55.67 lakh tonnes in 2023-24. Similarly, the domestic production of DAP in 2023-24 was only 42.93 lakh tonnes.

More demand from Punjab-Haryana

The demand for DAP is coming from Punjab and Haryana, where sowing of Rabi crops has started. In the remaining states, paddy crops have not been completely harvested yet. Demand is going to increase in other states from mid-November and December. The Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers has claimed that there will be no shortage of fertilizers. Rejecting the allegations of shortage of DAP in Punjab, it has also given details that the Center has supplied 92 thousand tons of DAP and 18 thousand tons of NPK to Punjab in October.

In the first week of November also, 50 thousand tonnes of DAP is to be sent by the Centre to Punjab. The situation in Haryana is also similar. The Centre's report shows that in September, Haryana had demanded 60 thousand tonnes of DAP. But the Centre supplied 64 thousand 708 tonnes of DAP, which is more than the demand.