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On July 13, Chouhan had asked state governments to immediately stop the “forced tagging” of nano-fertilisers or bio-stimulants along with conventional fertilisers like urea and DAP. (File Photo)
Days after Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan wrote to the chief ministers of all states to immediately stop the “forced tagging” of nano-fertilisers or bio-stimulants along with conventional fertilisers, the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilisers has directed fertiliser companies to ensure that non-subsidised products are not tagged with subsidised fertilisers. It warned that such “malpractice” will invite “strict action”.
In a letter to all fertiliser firms on July 21, the ministry said that it has come to its notice that some non-subsidised products such as pesticides, nano fertilisers, bio-stimulants, etc, are being tagged with subsidised fertilisers like urea, DAP (Diammonium Phosphate) and NPK (a complex fertiliser comprising Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Potassium). The complaints highlighted that retailers were not selling the subsidised fertilisers to farmers unless they purchased the non-subsidised items.
The ministry highlighted that fertilisers are declared as essential commodities under the Essential Commodities Act, 1955, and any activity involving such unauthorised tagging of other products with subsidised fertilisers may constitute a violation of the law and the Fertiliser Control Order, 1985.
“The Department has issued advisories from time to time to discourage such practices,” the ministry’s letter said. “The Department continues to receive complaints and grievances petitions, indicating that the practice…is widespread and persistent. Such practices place an undue financial burden on farmers and undermine the objectives of the government’s fertiliser subsidy framework, which aims to provide affordable and equitable access to essential fertilisers,” it added.
“Therefore, you are directed to strictly ensure that no such tagging…is done for the farmers. Any instance of such malpractice, if brought to the notice of this Department, will invite strict action under relevant statutory provisions,” it said.
On July 13, Chouhan had asked state governments to immediately stop the “forced tagging” of nano-fertilisers or bio-stimulants along with conventional fertilisers like urea and DAP.
However, Agriculture Ministry officials pointed out that the Fertilisers Ministry’s letter to companies has come at a time when the Kharif season sowing is almost over and many farmers have already purchased nutrients like DAP and urea. Till July 11, 2025, sowing has been reported across 597.86 lakh hectares, besides the sale of 27.51 lakh metric tonnes of fertilisers such as urea, DAP, Muriate of Potassium (MOP), NPK, and Single Super Phosphate (SSP).
Availability and Sale of Fertilisers during Kharif Season 2025*
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Harikishan Sharma, Senior Assistant Editor at The Indian Express' National Bureau, specializes in reporting on governance, policy, and data. He covers the Prime Minister’s Office and pivotal central ministries, such as the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare, Ministry of Cooperation, Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Ministry of Rural Development, and Ministry of Jal Shakti. His work primarily revolves around reporting and policy analysis. In addition to this, he authors a weekly column titled "STATE-ISTICALLY SPEAKING," which is prominently featured on The Indian Express website. In this column, he immerses readers in narratives deeply rooted in socio-economic, political, and electoral data, providing insightful perspectives on these critical aspects of governance and society. ... Read More
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