Volume of urea produced in India FY 2002-2023

India's urea production reached a record high of 28.49 million metric tons in fiscal year 2023, continuing an upward trend that has persisted for over two decades. This significant increase in urea output reflects the country's growing agricultural needs and its efforts to boost domestic fertilizer production. 

Shifts in fertilizer production landscape 

While urea production has seen consistent growth, other fertilizer segments have experienced varying trends. Complex fertilizer production has shown substantial expansion, rising from 4.9 million metric tons in 2002 to approximately seven million metric tons in 2023. This growth aligns with the overall increase in fertilizer demand, though it experienced a slight dip in the most recent fiscal year. In contrast, di-ammonium phosphate (DAP) production has followed a fluctuating, generally downward trajectory, with 2023 levels at 4.3 million metric tons, significantly lower than peak production years.

Role of cooperatives in fertilizer industry   

The Indian Farmers Fertiliser Cooperative Limited (IFFCO) plays a crucial role in the country's fertilizer sector. In fiscal year 2024, IFFCO's fertilizer production volume was 8.9 million metric tons, marking a slight decrease from the previous year. However, the cooperative's production of NPK and DAP fertilizers increased to 4.89 million metric tons. With a network of over 36,000 cooperatives, IFFCO's extensive reach underscores the importance of cooperative structures in India's agricultural input supply chain, complementing the broader trends in national fertilizer production.