Looking ahead to fertiliser demand, expected to peak in June-July, the government on Monday assured that adequate supplies are available and said it is diversifying sourcing beyond traditional suppliers in the Persian Gulf.States have also been advised to promote alternative fertilisers. Punjab and Haryana, key agrarian states, are expected to lead paddy cultivation, including basmati, during the upcoming planting season.Aparna S Sharma, Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilisers, said at an inter-ministerial briefing on the West Asia crisis that the Agriculture Ministry has projected fertiliser demand at 390 lakh tonnes for the upcoming kharif season. Last year, actual sales stood at 361 lakh tonnes.“Currently, we have higher stocks compared to last year. Our total stock position stands at 180 lakh metric tonnes, up from 147 lakh tonnes last year, indicating a healthy supply position,” she said.Urea and DAP continue to be supplied at regulated prices —Rs 266 per 45 kg bag of urea and Rs 1,350 per 50 kg bag of DAP.Farmers have also been encouraged to use alternatives such as ammonium sulphate, triple super phosphate, fermented organic manure and nano fertilisers.On domestic production, Sharma said natural gas availability, earlier reduced to 60 per cent for urea plants, has improved to 80 per cent, though output initially declined due to supply disruptions.India is maintaining close coordination with major suppliers of urea and DAP to ensure steady availability. The government is also expanding its sourcing base beyond Gulf countries to include nations such as Russia, Morocco, Australia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Jordan, Canada, Algeria, Egypt and Togo.A task group has been set up to monitor global fertiliser and urea availability. “States have been sensitised to prevent panic,” Sharma added.She noted that key feedstocks such as ammonia, sulphur and sulphuric acid, critical for domestic production, have been impacted, with global prices and freight costs rising significantly.At the same briefing, Sujata Sharma, Joint Secretary (Marketing & Refineries) in the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, assured that petrol, diesel, LPG and PNG supplies remain adequate across the country.Refineries are operating normally and crude oil inventories are sufficient. Full gas supply is being ensured for domestic consumers and CNG transport, while industries are receiving around 80 per cent supply.“There are no stockouts at LPG distributor points. Supplies are adequate and being maintained,” she said, adding that over the past week, about 2.6 lakh LPG cylinders were sold, along with around 41,000 tonnes of commercial LPG.