India turns to natural farming, ammonia as Iran war jolts urea market

AgricultureUrea cost and supply concerns drive shift but barriers to adoption remainA farmer spreads fertilizer in a rice field in Karnal in the northern Indian state of Haryana. (Photo by Reuters) © ReutersCHARU BAHRISeptember 1, 2026 11:12 JSTRAJASTHAN, India -- The Indian government is working to cut farmers' urea use in the wake of the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran, urging the adoption of natural farming and greenlighting the use of anhydrous ammonia even before domestic trials have been completed.