Centre's fertiliser sales app pilot in 22 districts yields ₹1,500 crore savings
The Centre's pilot programme for direct fertiliser sales through a mobile application has generated ₹1,470 crore in savings across 22 districts during Kharif 2026. Under the Framework for Fertilisers Sales (FFS), launched in 222 districts across 29 States and Union Territories, sales declined by 28 per cent, enabling the government to achieve substantial cost savings. The scheme allows farmers to purchase subsidised crop nutrients based on their land holdings and crops selected.
Remarkably, the sales decline occurred despite more farmers participating in the pilot scheme during Kharif 2026 compared to the previous year in these districts. Major agriculture-producing states including Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Karnataka reported sales declines of up to 75 per cent. According to a presentation by additional secretary Pramod Kumar Meherda at the annual Rabi conference in Telangana, lower rainfall in some states contributed to reduced fertiliser purchases. The digital platform has eliminated queues at retail outlets, with farmers receiving tokens for scheduled fertiliser pickups.
Punjab did not implement the pilot programme, while Madhya Pradesh discontinued it following farmer protests. Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh stated that state implementation decisions rest with individual governments and are not compulsory.
