Why is government planning to double fertilizer subsidies?

In a boost for fertilizer companies, government of India plans to double fertilizer subsidies for the fiscal year FY22 to Rs.155,000 crore. The idea is to avoid shortages in amidst a sharp increase in global prices of chemicals.

Currently, India is a buyer of diammonium phosphate or DAP needed to feed its huge agriculture sector. DAP is a urea based fertilizer. Global fertilizer prices are up 3-fold due to record spike in coal and natural gas prices. This is the highest fertilizer subsidy pay-out ever.