Maharashtra farmers wary of input cost increase as agri dept pitches for DAP alternatives

Kolhapur: With a likely DAP (diammonium phosphate) shortage looming, farmers are being pushed to switch to alternatives, but at a steep cost that is forcing many to cut back on fertiliser use just ahead of kharif sowing.

The agriculture department’s formula — replace one 50kg DAP bag with urea plus SSP or TSP — has triggered resentment on the ground, with farmers saying the alternative is not feasible.

The agriculture department has recommended substituting one 50kg bag of DAP with either half a bag of urea (25 kg) plus three bags of single super phosphate (SSP), or half a bag of urea and one bag of triple super phosphate (TSP). The alternatives, the farmers say, are significantly costlier.

DAP cost Rs 1,350 per bag, SSP Rs 600 per bag , TSP Rs 1,300 per bag and urea Rs 266 per bag.

“A 50kg bag of DAP costs Rs 1,350. While the combination advised by the agriculture department, that of half a bag of urea and three bags of SSP, costs almost Rs 2,000. Already the prices of other fertilisers have increased, and I have decided to cut down on the use of fertilisers,” said Ravi Patil, a farmer from Tasgaon in Sangli district, who plans to sow soyabean on three acres.

For a good yield, balanced nutrition for the crops is key. It should neither be excessive nor low. A good yield means good returns for the the farmers, as well as price stability of food produce for the consumers.

DAP, which contains 18% nitrogen and 46% phosphorus, is the preferred fertiliser for balanced crop nutrition. In comparison, SSP contains 16% phosphorus and TSP 46%, but they require combination use to match nutrient balance, raising overall costs.

Officials admit that DAP supply is likely to fall short when sowing demand peaks. “There is no immediate shortage of DAP. But a shortage is likely given the possibility of a sudden surge once the farmers start sowing after adequate rainfall. Around 3.1 lakh tonnes of DAP was required in the past kharif season. We now have 2.25 lakh tonnes, and another 40,000 tonnes will be made available. Still, we will fall short by nearly 45,000 tonnes of DAP in Maharashtra,” said a senior agriculture department official.

“Centre has advised states to ask farmers to use alternatives for DAP, and accordingly, we are making farmers aware of the existing alternatives such as urea, SSP, triple super phosphate, complex NPK fertilisers, when applied in the right proportion, require no use of DAP,” the official added.

The shortage is linked to global supply disruptions, particularly due to the Gulf conflict affecting raw materials like phosphoric acid and rock phosphate used in DAP production. Officials argue that SSP remains a viable option.

“In SSP, which is available in sufficient quantity (5 lakh tonnes), the sulphur, which is an additional content, along with micro-nutrients helps in good growth of oil seed crops such as soyabean, sunflower, sesame and groundnuts. The SSP is an efficient alternative,” the official said.

Half the DAP supply in India is manufactured indigenously; the rest is imported. DAP and urea are highly subsidised fertilisers. Centre absorbs around Rs 2,420 cost per 50kg bag of DAP only to make these fertilisers affordable for farmers.

However, with fertiliser costs rising and monsoon arrival uncertain, farmers are under pressure to recalibrate sowing strategies, often opting for short-duration crops such as soyabean, groundnuts, maize, moong, and tur rather than water-intensive crops such as rice.

Why is DAP the popular choice?

* 18% nitrogen: Boosts early leaf growth and stem development

* 46% phosphorus: Promotes deep, strong root systems

* Energy transfer: Fuels photosynthesis and overall plant cell division

* Early vigour: Accelerates plant establishment during the seeding stage

* Blossom boost: Enhances flower formation and grain yield production

* Stress resistance: Strengthens plant tissue against disease and weather

* Water soluble: Dissolves quickly for immediate plant nutrient uptake