India meets 73% of fertiliser demand through domestic production in 2025: Chemicals and Fertilisers Ministry

New Delhi: India has made significant strides towards self-reliance in the fertiliser sector, meeting nearly three-fourths of its total fertiliser requirement through domestic production in 2025, the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilisers has said. According to official data, 73 per cent of the country’s fertiliser demand during the year was fulfilled through indigenous supply, marking a major milestone in reducing dependence on imports.

The ministry said domestic fertiliser production touched a record high of 524.62 lakh tonnes (approximately 52.46 million tonnes) in 2025, the highest ever achieved by the country. This achievement reflects a steady and consistent rise in production over the past five years, underlining the impact of policy measures aimed at strengthening domestic capacity.

Data released by the ministry shows that fertiliser production has witnessed uninterrupted growth since 2021. In that year, domestic output stood at 433.29 lakh tonnes. This increased to 467.87 lakh tonnes in 2022, 507.93 lakh tonnes in 2023 and 509.57 lakh tonnes in 2024, before reaching the record level in 2025. Officials described this trend as a clear indicator of structural improvements in the sector.

The growth has been recorded across multiple fertiliser categories, including urea, di-ammonium phosphate (DAP), NPK complexes and single super phosphate (SSP). The ministry noted that balanced growth in these segments has helped ensure uninterrupted availability of fertilisers to farmers across the country, particularly during peak agricultural seasons.

The government attributed this progress to a series of initiatives taken under the Atmanirbhar Bharat vision. These include the establishment of new fertiliser manufacturing units, revival of previously closed plants, incentives to encourage domestic production and strategic measures to ensure the availability of key raw materials. Together, these steps have helped reduce India’s reliance on imported fertilisers, which has long been a challenge due to global price volatility and supply chain disruptions.

Officials said the push for self-sufficiency has assumed greater importance in recent years due to global uncertainties, geopolitical tensions and disruptions in international supply chains. By strengthening domestic production, India aims to shield its agriculture sector from external shocks and ensure timely and affordable access to fertilisers for farmers.

The ministry emphasised that ensuring continuous and reliable fertiliser supply remains a top priority, as it is directly linked to agricultural productivity and farmers’ incomes. “We are committed to empowering farmers and further strengthening fertiliser security under the Atmanirbhar Bharat framework,” the ministry said in a statement.

Experts believe the rise in domestic fertiliser production will have long-term benefits for the Indian economy. Reduced import dependence is expected to ease pressure on foreign exchange reserves, while stable fertiliser availability can support food security and overall rural growth.

The ministry expressed confidence that the current momentum will continue in the coming years, with further capacity expansion and efficiency improvements planned. It said the record production achieved in 2025 not only reflects policy success but also reinforces India’s resolve to build a resilient and self-reliant agricultural input ecosystem.