New Delhi, Nov. 9 -- Fertilizer stocks are ample as farmers start sowing their rabi, or winter, crops, two people familiar with the latest figures said.

As of 3 November, 21.5 million tonnes were available, against the 8.7 million tonnes (mt) the season would require by that date. Farmers have taken 5.3mt so far, which leaves 16.2mt in stock. The major fertilizers used in India are urea, di-ammonium phosphate (DAP), muriate of potash (MOP), and NPKS.

The total fertilizer requirement for the rabi season is estimated at 35mt.

That cushion is important in a country which is the world's second-largest consumer of fertiliser and the largest importer of the most widely used type, urea.

Still, there are hurdles: an agricultural economist has...