New Delhi, April 22 -- India faces rising risks of food inflation despite a USD 18.6 billion fertilizer subsidy for FY2026-27, as global supply disruptions triggered by the ongoing US-Iran conflict threaten input availability ahead of the critical Kharif sowing season, FAO's Chief Economist Maximo Torero told ANI today.

"If the crisis (Gulf conflicts and below normal monsoon) persists, India faces higher import costs, reduced domestic fertilizer availability, and pressure on food inflation particularly for wheat, rice, and vegetables," he told ANI in an exclusive e-mail interview.

He further added that " The government's USD 18.6 billion fertilizer subsidy for FY2026-27 will help, but fiscal pressures are mounting."

On the US-Iran tens...