Telangana to keep fertiliser app, fix glitches: Minister

Telangana Agriculture Minister Tummala Nageswara Rao has firmly ruled out withdrawing the app-based system for fertiliser distribution, asserting that it was introduced to ensure subsidised urea and other fertilisers reach genuine farmers transparently and in the required quantities.

Responding to questions in the Legislative Council on Wednesday, the minister acknowledged that technical issues have arisen during implementation but said these are being addressed. He assured members that steps are underway to make the system simpler and more efficient for farmers.

Lawmakers raised concerns about urea supply, difficulties with app-based booking, challenges faced by tenant farmers, transportation charges for cooperative societies, and technical glitches.

Mr. Rao explained that fertiliser distribution previously relied on Aadhaar authentication. The app-based system was launched primarily to prevent diversion, hoarding, and black-marketing, and to ensure farmers receive supplies according to their needs.

The state introduced its Urea Booking App during Rabi 2025-26. After positive results in Telangana, the Union government adopted a similar digital framework — the Framework for Fertiliser Sale (FFS) app — for nationwide regulation of subsidised fertiliser sales. The FFS app, introduced by the Centre on June 4, 2026, has been operational in Telangana since September 2, replacing the state's earlier app.

District officials have been instructed to inspect fertiliser stocks and regularly reconcile digital records with physical inventory. They have also been directed to take stringent action against those found deliberately indulging in irregularities.

The minister said the FFS technical team is conducting regular load testing, and the system is designed to automatically increase server capacity during peak demand. Over 50 lakh farmers have already purchased fertilisers through the app, he noted, adding that the government's priority is to resolve technical problems rather than discontinue the system.

Mr. Rao stated there is currently no shortage of urea in Telangana. Disruptions to imports caused by conflicts and instability, particularly in West Asia, led to supply delays in the previous and current years.

He claimed that fertiliser stocks in the state have risen from about 16-17 lakh metric tonnes earlier to 22-23 lakh metric tonnes since the present government assumed office. There are approximately 12,000 fertiliser retail outlets in Telangana, including around 900 run by cooperative societies.

The minister also assured the Council that steps will be taken to ensure tenant farmers do not face difficulties in booking fertilisers.