Shimla, March 25: Himachal Pradesh is facing a tightening of fertilizer supplies as the Middle East conflict disrupts the import of raw materials and energy feedstocks. Himfed has officially commenced the rationing of urea, NPK, and MOP across the state to manage current inventories. Officials declared that the move is intended to prevent a total stockout during the peak application season for the state’s horticulture and agriculture sectors.
Maheshwar Chauhan, Chairman of Himfed, asserted that the high demand for urea in apple orchards has put significant pressure on existing stocks. He stated that the production of synthetic fertilizers is directly linked to the supply of LNG, which has seen considerable volatility due to the conflict. Chauhan also declared that the federation is monitoring the situation closely and has already sought financial assistance to bolster procurement efforts for the next quarter.
The federation maintained that the current crisis is a result of both international factors and domestic allocation issues. Chauhan affirmed that the delayed release of stocks by the central authorities to National Fertilizers Limited had already created a backlog before the conflict began. He declared that Himfed has now secured the necessary funding to maintain liquidity and is working to procure sufficient quantities to meet the requirements of farmers in May.
Authorities asserted that the rationing is a proactive measure to ensure that the available supply reaches the maximum number of consumers. They maintained that if the tensions in the Middle East persist, the agricultural department may need to implement further strategic adjustments. Farmers have been advised to coordinate with local cooperative societies to manage their immediate requirements.
