India, May 21 -- War-related disruption to India's fertiliser production eased significantly between March and April, though output remains below normal levels. This is the key takeaway from core sector industry data released by the commerce and industry ministry on Wednesday.

It is absolutely critical that India manages adequate fertilisers before the next sowing season begins. The West Asia war has had a double whammy on this effort. Closure of the Strait of Hormuz has blocked supplies of both finished fertilisers and critical petrochemical-based ingredients required to make fertilisers from importers in the West Asian region. This has led to a shortage and price spike across the world. Core sector data tracks domestic manufacturing of...