New Delhi, April 9 -- The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday cleared Rs.41,534 crore towards nutrient-based fertiliser subsidy for the summer-sowing season, raising it by Rs.4,317 crore, a nearly 12% jump from the previous cropping cycle, to make up for higher costs and cushion farmers amid supply disruptions due to the West Asian conflict. The higher subsidy, which covers mixed crop chemicals, is aimed at keeping the price of 50-kg packages of diammonium phosphate steady at Rs.1,350 despite higher import prices. "The West Asian conflict has had an impact on fertilisers. There's no problem of availability in India. Some people have started hoarding, which is not good," information and broadcasting minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said, briefing reporters. The nutrient-based subsidy regime offers fertilisers at lower-than-market price to farmers based on their phosphatic and potassic content, which is aimed at discouraging overuse. Food security in the world's most-populous country is closely linked to the adequate availability and affordability of key fertilisers, as farmers prepare for the summer-planting season. The government makes available 28 grades of P&K fertilisers, which are also covered, to farmers at subsidised rates through manufacturers and importers. These are sold by manufacturers at a discount, who are then reimbursed by the government. Fertiliser manufacturers say a ceasefire announced by Iran and the US has come as a breather, which will help boost availability. "The ceasefire is a timely and positive development as it is expected to improve LNG availability from the Gulf and support uninterrupted fertiliser supplies ahead of the kharif season. This will help stabilise domestic production, ease import-related cost pressures, and curb speculative price increase," said PS Gahlaut, managing director, Indian Potash Limited. The country relies on imports of fertilisers such as urea, DAP and muriate of potash, along with liquefied natural gas, which fires crop-nutrient plants. The latest hike in subsidies pertains to a category of crop nutrients that are heavily reliant on imports. Higher shipping costs and a supply crunch came barely two months ahead of the kharif season, which accounts for half of India's annual food supply....