New Delhi, April 8 (IANS) The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Wednesday approved a proposal of the Department of Fertilisers for fixing the Nutrient Based Subsidy (NBS) rates for this year’s kharif season (from April 1 to September 30) on Phosphatic and Potassic (P&K) fertilisers.

The tentative budgetary requirement for the kharif season this year will be approximately Rs 41,533.81 crore. This is approximately Rs 4,317 crore more than the budgetary requirement for the previous Kharif season, which worked out to Rs 37,216.15 crore, according to a Cabinet note.

The approval will ensure the availability of fertilisers to farmers at subsidised, affordable, and reasonable prices. The rationalisation of subsidy on P&K fertilisers is being done in view of recent trends in the international prices of fertilisers and inputs.

The subsidy would be provided to the fertiliser companies as per approved and notified rates so that fertilisers are made available to farmers at affordable prices.

The subsidy on P&K fertilisers, including DAP and NPKS grades, will be provided based on approved rates for Kharif 2026 (applicable from April 1 to Sept 30) to ensure smooth availability of these fertilisers to the farmers at affordable prices.

The government is making available 28 grades of P&K fertilisers, including DAP, to farmers at subsidised prices through fertiliser manufacturers/importers. The subsidy on P&K fertilisers is governed by the NBS Scheme with effect from April 1, 2010. In accordance with its farmer-friendly approach, the government is committed to ensuring the availability of P&K fertilisers to the farmers at affordable prices, the statement said.

In view of the recent trends in the international prices of fertilisers & inputs like urea, DAP, MOP and sulphur, the government has decided to approve the NBS rates for Kharif 2026, effective from April 1 to September 30 on phosphatic and potassic (P&K) fertilisers, including DAP and NPKS grades, the statement added.

–IANS

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