A farmer spraying urea on his rice crop. | Photo credit: Representative image
For decades, urea consumption in Andhra Pradesh followed a predictable upward curve as farmers focused on increasing yields. The basic approach was simple: higher application equaled better output. However, in the 2025-2026 Rabi season, the state witnessed a marked shift, with urea consumption remaining largely stable despite a sharp increase in area under cultivation.
While total cultivated land increased by 36%, urea availability increased by only 3%. This resulted in a significant drop in availability per hectare from 513 kg to 338 kg, reflecting a reduction of 34%. In effect, farmers were required to manage larger cultivated areas with significantly lower amounts of fertilizer, indicating a shift to more efficient use.
Published – 20 Apr 2026 22:44 IST
