economy
‘India is going to face a food crisis’: Farmers panic over fertiliser shortages amid Iran war
Ripple effects of oil and fertiliser shortage felt by farmers in India and Sri Lanka despite governments saying there is enough stock to go round
TL;DR
- War in Iran has caused farmers in India's Punjab region to worry about fertilizer shortages impacting their rice and wheat crops.
- Global food security is at risk due to potential disruptions in fertilizer supplies and rising costs, with an estimated 45 million more people facing acute food insecurity if the conflict continues.
- South Asian countries like India and Sri Lanka are particularly vulnerable due to their reliance on imported fertilizers and fuel for agriculture.
- Farmers in India are concerned about urea shortages, as domestic production depends on imported natural gas, which is already in tight supply.
- Despite official statements of adequate fertilizer stocks and diversified sourcing, farmers in India and Sri Lanka express panic and report rising prices and low availability.
- Sri Lanka faces a heightened risk due to a past economic crisis that already impacted fertilizer imports, leading to devastating profit losses and crop shortages.