India approves $4.49 billion subsidy for Kharif 2026

India’s cabinet approved a proposal to spend $4.49 billion to subsidise phosphate and potassium fertilizers for the Kharif 2026 season, according to an 8 April government statement. The allocation represents an increase of approximately $460 million over the Kharif 2025 season budget, reflecting adjustments for recent trends in international prices of fertilizers and inputs including urea, DAP, MOP, and sulphur.

Subsidies at approved rates will be provided from April 2026 through September 2026 via the nutrient-based subsidy (NBS) scheme “to ensure smooth availability of these fertilizers to the farmers at affordable prices,” the statement added. The subsidies will be disbursed to farmers via manufacturers and importers based on approved NBS rates for 28 grades of phosphorus and potassium fertilizers, including DAP and NPKS grades.