Claims of Adequate Seed Stock Availability for the Kharif Season

02-Apr-2026 03:58 PM

New Delhi: The Central Government has stated that an adequate stock of seeds for various crops is available within the country for cultivation during the upcoming Kharif season. Furthermore, fertilizer stocks are also at a comfortable level; therefore, farmers need not panic or be concerned. Concurrently, the government is striving to further augment fertilizer stocks through a combination of increased domestic production and imports.

An Additional Secretary at the Union Ministry of Agriculture noted that the projected demand for seeds during the upcoming Kharif season stands at approximately 166.50 lakh tonnes, against which the country currently holds a stock of approximately 185.70 lakh tonnes.

In fact, a surplus stock—exceeding the actual requirement—is available for seeds of major crops such as paddy, soybean, groundnut, maize, and pulses. Moreover, adequate seed stocks are also expected to be available for the subsequent Rabi season.

The government is prioritizing the appropriate allocation of natural gas for the drying of maize seeds. According to official sources, the country currently holds a carry-over stock of 180 lakh tonnes of fertilizers, whereas the total demand for the Kharif season is projected to be 390.50 lakh tonnes.

As per established norms, a stock equivalent to at least one-third of the total anticipated demand for any given season should be maintained; the current stock, however, exceeds this requirement. The government is implementing stringent measures to curb the hoarding and black-marketing of fertilizers, as well as to prevent their diversion for non-agricultural purposes. Furthermore, imports from abroad are being ramped up.