In Vidisha, the parliamentary constituency of the Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, there has been the emergence of fertiliser quality issues and samples of the products produced by IFFCO were found to be of non-standard quality. The problem arises as the government is trying to hoard fertilisers just before the important kharif season against the background of global disruptions in the supply of fertilisers due to geopolitical tensions in West Asia.
According to official reports, samples of diammonium phosphate (DAP), a common product used by farmers, did not make the required quality standards during the current rabi season (2025-26). The authorities later instructed IFFCO to recall the batches at once.
DAAP is an important fertiliser that has nitrogen and phosphorus and is crucial when it comes to sowing as it helps in seed germination and the initial growth of crops. But upon testing at the Fertiliser Quality Control Laboratory in Bhopal, it was found that there were serious shortfalls. A December 2025 sample taken at Ganj Basoda was found to have 16.73 per cent nitrogen as opposed to the necessary 18 per cent, and 42.17 per cent phosphorus as opposed to the necessary 46 per cent.
The results have not only cast doubt on the quality agricultural inputs but also the availability of these inputs at the time when farmers need them most. Analysts fear that low quality fertilisers may have negative implications on crop production and agriculture revenues. The growth demonstrates that there is a necessity to be more vigilant and quality conscious to provide farmers with the desired and worthwhile products when they are in the crucial farming seasons.