Amid global supply chain disruptions and rising DAP demand, can Telangana be an exception?

Farmers in many States have been grappling with a shortage of Diammonium Phosphate (DAP) during the ongoing Rabi season, despite the government's efforts to ensure adequate supplies. The shortage is attributed to several geo-political factors, including the Red Sea Crisis, which has forced vessels to take longer routes via the Cape of Good Hope, causing supply chain disruptions.

Hyderabad: Farmers in many States have been grappling with a shortage of Diammonium Phosphate (DAP) during the ongoing Rabi season, despite the government’s efforts to ensure adequate supplies. The shortage is attributed to several geo-political factors, including the Red Sea Crisis, which has forced vessels to take longer routes via the Cape of Good Hope, causing supply chain disruptions.

Will it have any bearing on Telangana, which is planning to for Rabi in 80 lakh acres, nearly 55 lakh acres of it being paddy?

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In fact, India’s dependency on imported DAP has been further strained by a drop in imports from China, which fell by nearly 75% in the first half of the financial year 2025 compared to the same period last year. This has led to a scarcity of DAP in states like Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh. In Telangana too, the usage of DAP is substantial, with farmers applying up to 60 kg per acre. With over 350 tmc of water available for irrigation this time, the area under Rabi paddy is expected to reach 55 lakh acres, while the overall Rabi area is projected to exceed 78 to 80 lakh acres. The State’s DAP requirement for the Rabi season has been estimated at 35,000 metric tonnes, with the availability being just a little over 35,000 metric tonnes.

The Department of Fertilizers has managed to bring in quantities exceeding 17 lakh tons of DAP to various ports in October and November 2024. Telangana was also one of the beneficiaries of the recent supplies. The advantage of farmers in Telangana is that they have also turned to alternatives like the 20:20:20 fertilizer, which is a cheaper substitute for DAP. The State has ensured the availability of 3.5 lakh metric tonnes of urea, meeting the season’s requirement.

During October and November, the availability was 81,000 metric tonnes, surpassing the requirement of 66,000 metric tonnes.

Principal Secretary (Agriculture) M Raghunadan Rao has assured that the State was equipped to meet the fertiliser requirements for the season, with stocks of DAP available at 35,000 metric tonnes as of December 15.