NEW DELHI: Farmers may have to pay 5-26% more for fertilisers this crop season due to an increase in the global prices of key fertiliser components phosphate and potash, according to analysts and industry executives. They, however, said if the government increases the per unit subsidy for fertiliser companies, the price impact on farmers will be less. Urea prices usually remain steady due to government controls. At Rs 1,400 per bag (50 kg), the price of di-ammonium phosphate (DAP) is 8% higher than what farmers paid in kharif season this year. It can increase by 4% by October, analysts said, adding that the price of muriate of potash (MoP) may increase by 26% to Rs 880 per bag (50 kg) while nitrogen, phosphorous, and potash (NPK) grades may rise by 5-10% to about Rs 960-1,180 per bag (50 kg). “The rupee depreciation has ensured that the landed cost of raw material has gone up. Companies will have to see how they absorb the rise, which can be in the range of 5- 15%,” said Rakesh Kapur, joint managing director of Indian Farmers Fertiliser Cooperative Ltd. Kapur said the industry had ample stock of fertiliser for the upcoming rabi season. “Potash prices have just increased by $50 a tonne and even phosphate prices have increased by $103 a tonne in the last one quarter. Another rise is expected by October.” The calculation of rise in DAP by 12% and MoP by 26% is based on the premise that the impact of currency and raw material price increase will be passed on by the industry to farmers, said K Ravichandran, senior V-P, corporate ratings, ICRA.