HYDERABAD: Farmlands in Telangana are running short of urea at the peak of Kharif, sparking a fierce political battle between Congress, BRS and BJP. The scarcity, driven by factors like delays in imports, rising consumption, expansion of cultivation, black marketing and disruptions in domestic production, has left farmers anxious even as political leaders play the blame game.
According to official data, the Union government allocated 9.8 lakh metric tonnes (LMT) of urea to Telangana for Kharif 2025, of which 8.3 LMT was required till August. However, the state has so far received only 5.42 LMT, leaving a shortfall of 2.88 LMT. Officials pointed out that several states are facing similar shortages due to global supply constraints. Rising natural gas prices have pushed up international prices, while supply chain disruptions caused by tensions in West Asia worsened the crisis.
Adding to this, China has curtailed fertiliser exports to India in recent years. Meanwhile, some reports suggest that China has eased curbs on urea shipments to India. Telangana Agriculture Minister Thummala Nageswara Rao accused the Centre of failing to import urea from China despite urgent demand.
Domestic production, too, has been inconsistent. Ramagundam Fertilisers and Chemicals Limited (RFCL) has functioned on only 78 out of 145 scheduled days between April and August due to gas leaks and technical glitches. The Talcher Fertiliser Plant in Odisha has been running below capacity, while Nagarjuna Fertilisers and Chemicals has not been producing urea at all.
Excessive use of urea affecting soil health, laments farmer leader
Excessive use of urea has further compounded the crisis. While the national average consumption is 100-120 kg per acre, Telangana averages around 170 kg. Experts attribute this to soil fertility variations and crop patterns, but also to a lack of awareness. Rythu Swarajya Vedika leader Vissa Kiran Kumar told TNIE that natural farming practices should be promoted to reduce dependence on chemicals. Farmers, he said, recalled that in the 1970s one bag was enough for an acre, but now nearly 10 bags are used annually, damaging soil health. “The government must work to address this,” he added.
More sowing, more demand for urea
Meanwhile, the expansion of crop sowing during Kharif 2025 has further pushed up the demand for urea in Telangana. Sown area has increased by 27.48 lakh acres compared to Kharif 2024.
As of Wednesday (August 20), crops were sown in 118.69 lakh acres, against 91.21 lakh acres on the same date last year.
Officials noted that urea consumption is higher for crops like paddy and maize. In particular, paddy sowing has seen a sharp rise — from 31.6 lakh acres in Kharif 2024 to 54.79 lakh acres this year. They attributed the surge to the government offering a bonus for the superfine variety of paddy.
Nageswara Rao alleged that opposition parties were politicising the crisis, projecting it as unique to Telangana, though it is being witnessed nationwide. He demanded that Union minister G Kishan Reddy intervene in the matter to ensure adequate supplies from the Centre.
On Thursday, the minister reviewed the situation with district agriculture officers through a video conference. He directed them to ensure the timely transport of stocks to districts, prevent hoarding and avoid long queues at distribution centres. He warned that strict action would be taken against those blocking supplies.