PM Modi says farmers remain top priority as Centre clears Rabi fertiliser subsidy

The Union Cabinet has approved an estimated Rs 62,370 crore fertiliser subsidy for the Rabi 2026-27 season. The move aims to protect farmers from global price fluctuations and ensure the availability of fertilisers at affordable rates.Government is making available 28 grades of P&K fertilizers including DAP to farmers at subsidized prices through fertiliser manufacturers. (File Photo: ITG)The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Wednesday approved the Nutrient Based Subsidy (NBS) rates for phosphatic and potassic (P&K) fertilisers for the Rabi 2026-27 season. The government has set an estimated budgetary requirement of Rs 62,370.02 crore for the six-month period from October 1, 2026, to March 31, 2027.The allocation is Rs 24,417.73 crore higher than the Rs 37,952.29 crore budgetary requirement for the Rabi 2025-26 season.The approval is aimed at ensuring that farmers continue to receive essential fertilisers, including Di-Ammonium Phosphate (DAP) and NPKS grades, at subsidised and affordable prices despite fluctuations in international fertiliser and input costs.In a post on X, Modi said farmers remained a priority for the government and that steps were being taken to ease the pressure on them amid difficult global conditions. "Even amid difficult conditions around the world, we are leaving no stone unturned to make their lives easier," the Prime Minister said, adding that the approval would help protect farmers from fluctuations in international prices while ensuring the availability of fertilisers at reasonable rates. (Credits: X/Narendra Modi) SUBSIDY RATES FOR DAP, NPKS FERTILISERSUnder the approved arrangement, subsidies on P&K fertilisers, including DAP and various NPKS grades, will be provided to fertiliser companies according to the notified rates for the Rabi 2026-27 season. The government said the move would help ensure the smooth availability of these fertilisers to farmers at affordable prices. It will also rationalise subsidies in view of recent trends in the international prices of fertilisers and key inputs.The subsidy will be extended to fertiliser manufacturers and importers, enabling them to make the products available to farmers at subsidised rates.HOW THE NUTRIENT BASED SUBSIDY SCHEME WORKSThe government currently makes 28 grades of P&K fertilisers, including DAP, available to farmers at subsidised prices through fertiliser manufacturers and importers.The NBS scheme has been in effect since April 1, 2010. Under the system, the government fixes nutrient-wise subsidy rates for fertilisers containing nitrogen, phosphorus, potash and sulphur.These rates determine the subsidy provided to companies, helping keep the retail prices of the fertilisers affordable for farmers.The latest approval comes amid changes in international prices of fertilisers and inputs such as urea, DAP, muriate of potash (MOP) and sulphur.The government said the revised rates would help maintain the availability of P&K fertilisers during the Rabi season while taking into account movements in global input costs. The subsidy is intended to provide farmers with access to essential agricultural nutrients at reasonable prices during the sowing season.- Ends