Digital fertiliser reform faces first test in kharif season

Andhra Pradesh has embarked on one of its most significant agricultural input reforms in recent years with the rollout of the APAIMS 2.0 mobile application for the distribution of Urea and Di-Ammonium Phosphate (DAP) fertilisers. Introduced at the onset of the kharif season, the initiative seeks to digitise fertiliser sales, improve transparency in distribution, and ensure that subsidised nutrients reach genuine cultivators.

From June 8, fertiliser sales across most districts in the State are being carried out exclusively through the APAIMS platform. Agriculture Department officials say the system integrates crop cultivation data, fertiliser requirements, dealer networks and Rythu Seva Kendras into a single digital framework. The move is aimed at preventing diversion of subsidised fertilisers, plugging leakages in the supply chain and promoting scientific nutrient management at the farm level.

Director of Agriculture Manazir Jeelani Samoon described the initiative as a major step towards data-driven agricultural governance. According to the department, farmers registered under the e-Panta crop booking system can purchase fertilisers from dealers of their choice, with every transaction recorded digitally to improve accountability, stock monitoring and policy planning.

The rollout comes at a crucial time as fertiliser demand gathers momentum ahead of large-scale monsoon sowing. Official figures from the latest sales cycle show that 10,656 bags of Urea and DAP were distributed to 1,532 registered farmers across the State’s 26 districts, indicating an active start to the kharif season.

Nandyal emerged as the leading district in fertiliser consumption, accounting for 4,835 bags distributed to 384 farmers. Demand was almost evenly split between 2,549 bags of Urea and 2,286 bags of DAP, reflecting balanced nutrient usage. Agricultural experts attribute the high consumption to extensive cultivation of paddy, maize, cotton and horticultural crops. Other Rayalaseema districts, including Kurnool, Anantapur and Tirupati, also reported significant fertiliser movement, underscoring the region’s growing agricultural activity.

However, the introduction of the platform has drawn criticism from the Andhra Pradesh Tenant Farmers Association, which has demanded its withdrawal. Association State Secretary P. Jamalayya alleged that linking fertiliser allocation to Web Land records and landowners’ Aadhaar details could leave lakhs of tenant farmers without access to essential agricultural inputs. He argued that many cultivators lack formal tenancy documents and often face difficulties in obtaining landowners’ consent for Aadhaar-linked verification.

To assess implementation on the ground, Dr. Samoon conducted surprise inspections at fertiliser outlets in Namburu and Venigandla villages of Guntur district. During the visits, officials explained the new system to farmers. Several cultivators urged the department to maintain adequate fertiliser stocks in remote villages that could face transport disruptions during the monsoon.

As Andhra Pradesh enters a critical phase of the agricultural season, the success of APAIMS 2.0 will depend not only on its ability to improve transparency and efficiency but also on whether it can ensure equitable access to fertilisers for all categories of cultivators. The coming months are likely to provide the first real test of the State’s ambitious digital agriculture initiative.