India’s agriculture sector relies heavily on urea fertilizer, which remains the most widely used nitrogen-based fertilizer in the country. Its affordability, high nitrogen content (46% N), and government subsidies make it the preferred choice among farmers. However, despite its widespread adoption, India faces challenges related to overuse, supply gaps, and soil health degradation. At the same time, complementary solutions such as yarafert products are playing an increasingly important role in addressing these issues by providing balanced nutrition to crops.
This comprehensive guide explores urea fertilizer consumption trends in India, the role of government policies, regional differences, supply chain issues, and the future outlook of its use in Indian agriculture.
Urea fertilizer consumption trends in India
Over the past four decades, urea fertilizer consumption in India has steadily increased. Nitrogen is an essential macronutrient for plant growth, and with India’s expanding population, the demand for high-yield crops has intensified.
- India consumes over 30 million tonnes of urea annually, making it one of the largest consumers globally.
- Nearly 80% of the nitrogenous fertilizer demand is met through urea.
- Farmers prefer urea over other fertilizers because it is the cheapest source of nitrogen, thanks to government subsidies.
While urea has fueled productivity in staple crops like rice and wheat, its excessive use has led to nutrient imbalances. Many soils are now deficient in secondary and micronutrients such as sulfur, magnesium, and zinc. To counter this, yarafert products like SULFOMIX (rich in sulfur, zinc, magnesium, and boron) can be applied alongside urea to enhance nutrient efficiency and improve soil health.
Government policies on urea fertilizer in India
The Government of India has implemented extensive policies to regulate urea fertilizer use through pricing, subsidies, and distribution mechanisms. Some key aspects include:
- Nutrient-Based Subsidy (NBS) Scheme: While most fertilizers are covered under the NBS scheme, urea continues to be regulated separately with maximum retail prices (MRP) kept low.
- Neem-Coated Urea: To reduce diversion and improve nitrogen use efficiency (NUE), the government mandated 100% neem-coating of urea.
- Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT): Subsidies are transferred directly to fertilizer companies based on actual sales to farmers, improving transparency.
However, these policies have created certain distortions:
- Farmers tend to overuse cheap urea while underutilizing phosphatic (P) and potassic (K) fertilizers.
- Imbalances have led to declining crop response ratios and soil degradation.
Balanced fertilizers like Biofast (12-12-12 NPK with humic and fulvic acids) and Ugarit 27-27-27 + TE are vital supplements that can restore soil fertility when used in combination with urea.
READ MORE: Urea Fertilizer Application Methods: Spraying vs. Broadcasting
Regional differences in urea fertilizer use
India’s agricultural diversity means urea fertilizer use varies widely across regions:
- Northern India (Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh): Heavy use in wheat, rice, and sugarcane cultivation. Over-application is common, leading to nitrate leaching.
- Southern India (Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka): Balanced fertilizer use is more common, with higher adoption of phosphatic and potassic fertilizers.
- Eastern India (Bihar, West Bengal, Odisha): Urea use is growing rapidly due to rice intensification programs.
- Western India (Maharashtra, Gujarat, Rajasthan): Farmers often rely on groundwater-intensive crops like cotton and sugarcane, where urea plays a major role.
These differences highlight the need for region-specific fertilizer blends. For example:
- In rice-dominated eastern India, Ugarit 10-65-10 provides phosphorus support alongside urea.
- In fruit-growing belts of Maharashtra, Ugarit Grapes and Ugarit Strawberry complement nitrogen with micronutrients.
- For cereals, Ugarit Cereal offers additional copper and nitrogen to improve resilience.
Urea fertilizer supply issues in India
Despite being the largest consumer of urea globally, India struggles with supply consistency.
Key challenges include:
- Import Dependence: About 25–30% of urea demand is met through imports, exposing farmers to global price volatility.
- Logistical Constraints: Distribution bottlenecks delay delivery during peak sowing seasons.
- Subsidy Burden: The government spends over ?1 lakh crore annually on fertilizer subsidies, much of which goes to urea.
To mitigate these challenges, farmers and cooperatives are increasingly exploring integrated nutrient management. By combining urea with balanced fertilizers such as Ugarit K-T-S 25 (potassium and sulfur) or SULPHOMIN (nitrogen with sulfur and organic matter), they can reduce excessive urea dependence while improving crop yield.
READ MORE: Can You Mix Urea with Other Fertilizers? Compatibility Explained
Future outlook for urea fertilizer in Indian agriculture
The future of urea fertilizer use in India will be shaped by technological innovations, policy reforms, and sustainability concerns. Several trends are likely to define the coming years:
- Enhanced Efficiency Fertilizers (EEFs): Neem-coated, polymer-coated, and slow-release urea will gain traction.
- Digital Soil Health Mapping: Precision agriculture tools will help farmers apply the right fertilizer mix at the right time.
- Balanced Fertilization Awareness: Greater emphasis on secondary and micronutrients will reduce over-dependence on urea.
- Sustainable Crop Practices: Integrated use of fertilizers with organic matter will be promoted to restore soil fertility.
Here is a quick overview of how urea fertilizer can be better integrated into a balanced nutrition strategy:
| Fertilizer Type | Key Nutrient (%) | Best Use Case in India | Complementary Product Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Urea | Nitrogen (46%) | Rice, Wheat, Sugarcane | SULFOMIX, Biofast |
| Ugarit K-T-S 25 | Potassium (36%), S (25%) | Oilseeds, Cotton | Urea + Ugarit K-T-S 25 |
| Biofast | NPK (12-12-12) + Humic | Balanced multi-crop use | Urea + Biofast |
| SULPHOMIN | N (45%), S (15%) | Cereal crops | Urea + SULPHOMIN |
| Ugarit 40-10-10 + TE | High N for cereals | Wheat, Maize | Urea + Ugarit 40-10-10 + TE |
By integrating yarafert solutions with urea application, farmers can maintain soil fertility, reduce environmental stress, and achieve higher productivity.
Conclusion: Moving beyond urea dependency
Urea fertilizer will continue to play a vital role in India’s agriculture due to its affordability and effectiveness. However, over-dependence on urea poses long-term risks to soil health and farm sustainability. The way forward lies in balanced nutrient management, where urea is supplemented with fertilizers rich in phosphorus, potassium, sulfur, and micronutrients.
Solutions such as SULFOMIX, Biofast, Ugarit K-T-S 25, SULPHOMIN, and crop-specific blends like Ugarit Grapes or Ugarit Strawberry provide farmers with the tools to optimize fertilizer use while improving yields.
? If you are a farmer, distributor, or agronomist looking to enhance crop nutrition strategies, explore our full range of yarafert products designed to complement urea fertilizer and maximize agricultural productivity. Contact our team today for expert guidance tailored to your region and crops.
READ MORE: How Much Urea Fertilizer Should You Use? A Dosage Guide