Odisha Govt Assures Adequate Fertilizer Stock Amid Urea Shortage Concerns

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Government on Sunday assured that there is sufficient stock of fertilizers in the State, countering concerns raised by Leader of Opposition Naveen Patnaik over a possible urea shortage.

In a letter to Union Chemicals and Fertilisers Minister J.P. Nadda on August 29, Patnaik had urged the Centre to ensure adequate supply of urea to safeguard the farming community.

Responding to this, the Department of Agriculture and Farmers’ Empowerment clarified that farmers need not be worried about “misleading information” suggesting an artificial shortage.

According to officials, Odisha’s Kharif crop plan for 2025 covers 58.50 lakh hectares—34.94 lakh hectares under paddy and 23.56 lakh hectares under non-paddy crops. Against a total requirement of 10 lakh MT of fertilizers, the Centre has allocated 9.55 lakh MT.

By the end of August, Odisha had already received 8.10 lakh MT, taking the total availability to 11.04 lakh MT. This stock includes 4.84 lakh MT of urea, 2.18 lakh MT of DAP, 0.61 lakh MT of MOP, 0.34 lakh MT of SSP, and 3.05 lakh MT of NP/NPK/NPKS. Additionally, 11,692 MT of urea is in transit to districts and expected to reach PACS and LAMPCS within two days.

Deputy Chief Minister and Agriculture Minister Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo is closely monitoring the situation, while enforcement teams from Agriculture, Revenue, and Police departments are conducting surprise checks to prevent black marketing and the sale of fake fertilizers.

Principal Secretary Arabinda Kumar Padhee is also in constant touch with the Union Ministry and fertilizer companies to ensure uninterrupted supply and timely distribution across the State.