Government Permits Anhydrous Ammonia Fertilizer to Reduce Urea Import Dependence
In July 2026, the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare (MoA&FW) permitted the manufacture and agricultural use of Anhydrous Ammonia fertilizer under Clause 20A of the Fertiliser (Control) Order, 1985, for a three-year period. The fertilizer, with a minimum nitrogen content of 82%, is intended to improve fertilizer-use efficiency and reduce India's dependence on imported urea. India produces nearly 300 lakh tonnes of urea annually but still imports around 100 lakh tonnes. Separately, a 150 TPD Green Urea pilot plant is being developed at Pudimadaka, Andhra Pradesh by NETRA (the R&D arm of NTPC), integrating carbon capture with water electrolysis.
Urea is the most widely used nitrogenous fertilizer (46% nitrogen) | India is among the world's largest urea consumers | The Fertiliser (Control) Order is issued under the Essential Commodities Act, 1955 | Neem-coating of urea was made mandatory in India in 2015
The MoA&FW permitted Anhydrous Ammonia fertilizer (min 82% nitrogen) for three years to cut urea import dependence, alongside a Green Urea pilot plant at Pudimadaka, Andhra Pradesh.