Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday announced that the Union Cabinet has approved subsidies on phosphorus and potash fertilisers for the Rabi season of 2025–26, a move aimed at ensuring affordable fertilisers for farmers and enhancing their incomes.

Subsidy approval for Rabi season 2025–26

The Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Modi, cleared the proposal of the Department of Fertilisers to fix the nutrient-based subsidy (NBS) rates for Phosphatic and Potassic (P&K) fertilisers for the Rabi season 2025–26, covering the period from October 1, 2025, to March 31, 2026.

According to the government, the tentative budgetary requirement for the upcoming Rabi season is Rs 37,952.29 crore, which is about Rs 736 crore more than the allocation for the 2025 Kharif season.

PM Modi’s statement on farmer welfare

Announcing the decision on X (formerly Twitter), PM Modi reaffirmed his government’s commitment to the welfare of farmers, calling them the nation’s annadatas (food providers).

“We are committed to the welfare of our farmer brothers and sisters across the country. In this direction, our government has taken a significant step by approving subsidies on phosphorus and potash fertilisers for the Rabi season of 2025–26,” the Prime Minister said.

He added that the move will make fertilisers more affordable for farmers and boost their earnings by reducing input costs and supporting agricultural productivity.

Ensuring fertiliser availability

The subsidy will cover key fertiliser types, including Di-Ammonium Phosphate (DAP) and NPKS (Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potash, Sulphur) grades. The approved NBS rates will help ensure the smooth and uninterrupted supply of P&K fertilisers across the country during the Rabi season.

Officials said that the continuation of the NBS scheme would guarantee reasonable and stable prices for fertilisers, protecting farmers from fluctuations in global raw material prices.

Government’s ongoing support to farmers

Under the NBS policy, the government provides a fixed subsidy per kilogram of nutrient content in P&K fertilisers, enabling companies to supply them to farmers at affordable rates.

The initiative is part of a broader effort to stabilise agricultural input costs, especially as India prepares for the Rabi cropping cycle, which includes major crops such as wheat, mustard, barley, and lentils.

The Centre has also been focusing on promoting balanced fertiliser use, encouraging farmers to adopt nutrient-based applications for better soil health and sustainable farming practices.

Conclusion

With the new subsidy scheme in place for Rabi 2025–26, the government aims to strengthen its ongoing agricultural reforms and ensure the continued prosperity of Indian farmers. Officials said that the decision underscores the Centre’s intent to prioritise food security, soil sustainability, and farmer welfare.