MALAPPURAM: The agricultural sector in the state is in crisis with the price of chemical fertilizers increasing almost double. Prices of all fertilizers except urea have increased. The agricultural sector received a setback with the companies cutting imports as prices soared uncontrollably in the international market. Experts have pointed out that farmers avoiding expensive fertilizers without looking at the scientific ratio will significantly affect their crops and harvest.

The price of potash (per 50 kg), the main fertilizer, has gone up from Rs 950 to Rs 1,700 in three months. There is also a severe shortage due to reduced imports. Most complex fertilizers come with potash. With this, the prices of NPK (Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium) complex fertilizers have also gone up. The price of Diammonium Phosphate, an integral part of paddy farming, has gone up from Rs 1,200 to Rs 1,700.

India mainly imports chemical fertilizers from China, Russia, Jordan, Morocco, Saudi Arabia, Canada, Belarus, Israel and Germany. Russia is a major producer of urea and potash fertilizers. If the Russia-Ukraine war gets prolonged, the import of these fertilizers will also get affected.