Fertilizer Cost Calculator
Find the cheapest fertilizer combination for your crop. Enter your N, P, K requirements, field area, and current local prices — the calculator ranks all fertilizer routes from cheapest to most expensive so you can save money without compromising on nutrition.
Cost-Optimized Recommendations
Fertilizer Cost Comparison by Crop
Approximate total fertilizer cost per hectare at 2024 MRP for different routes:
| Crop | DAP+Urea+MOP | SSP+Urea+MOP | 10-26-26 Route |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rice (1 ha) | ₹6,346 | ₹5,890 | ₹5,670 |
| Wheat (1 ha) | ₹6,346 | ₹6,120 | ₹5,890 |
| Potato (1 ha) | ₹11,200 | ₹10,800 | ₹10,400 |
| Sugarcane (1 ha) | ₹18,500 | ₹17,200 | ₹17,800 |
| Cotton (1 ha) | ₹8,100 | ₹7,800 | ₹7,600 |
Costs at GoI MRP (Urea ₹6.5/kg, DAP ₹27/kg, MOP ₹17/kg, SSP ₹7/kg). Enter your local prices above for accurate comparison.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I calculate the total fertilizer cost per acre?
Total fertilizer cost per acre = Sum of (fertilizer qty per acre × price per kg) for each fertilizer used. Example for rice, 1 acre: DAP 52.6 kg × ₹27 = ₹1,420 + Urea 84.8 kg × ₹6.5 = ₹551 + MOP 27 kg × ₹17 = ₹459. Total = ₹2,430 per acre. Enter your local prices in the Cost Optimizer tab above for an accurate comparison.
Which is cheaper — DAP route or SSP route for wheat?
SSP route is often cheaper per rupee of P₂O₅ supplied. Example for wheat (60 kg P₂O₅/ha): DAP route: 130 kg DAP × ₹27 = ₹3,510 (P cost). SSP route: 375 kg SSP × ₹7 = ₹2,625 (P cost) but requires more bags and labour. However SSP also provides 11% sulphur which has real value (~₹500/ha). The net cost difference is often minimal, but SSP wins on sulphur-deficient soils where extra sulphur dose would otherwise be needed.
How much does fertilizer cost per hectare for rice in India?
At 2024 government MRP prices (medium fertility, DAP route): DAP 130 kg × ₹27 = ₹3,510 + Urea 261 kg × ₹6.5 = ₹1,697 + MOP 67 kg × ₹17 = ₹1,139. Total = ₹6,346/ha. Market prices are typically 10-25% higher than MRP, so actual cost is ₹7,000-8,000/ha. High-input irrigated rice can reach ₹9,000-12,000/ha including micronutrients.
How to reduce fertilizer costs without reducing yield?
1) Get a soil test — avoid applying P or K if already adequate. 2) Use SSP instead of DAP where sulphur is also needed. 3) Apply 20-25% of N as organic (FYM, vermicompost) — reduces Urea need. 4) Use split application to improve NUE and reduce total dose. 5) Use nano-Urea (1 bottle = 500 ml replaces 1 bag of Urea for top-dressing). 6) Use government subsidy channels (e-PoS) to buy at MRP.
What is the subsidized price of Urea, DAP, and MOP in India?
As of 2024, Government of India MRP: Urea = ₹266.50 per 45 kg bag (≈₹5.92/kg); DAP = ₹1,350 per 50 kg bag (₹27/kg); MOP = ₹1,700 per 50 kg bag (₹34/kg for imported); SSP = ₹350 per 50 kg bag (₹7/kg). All prices are heavily subsidized — actual cost to government is 2-4x higher. Prices at retail shops may include margins up to 5-8% above MRP legally.
Is 10-26-26 NPK cheaper than separate DAP+MOP?
For crops needing high P and K (e.g., potato, cotton): 10-26-26 at ₹28/kg can sometimes match the DAP+MOP combo in per-nutrient cost. For 1 ha rice (60P + 40K): DAP 130 kg×₹27 + MOP 67kg×₹17 = ₹3,510+₹1,139 = ₹4,649. vs 10-26-26: 154 kg × ₹28 = ₹4,312 (but 10-26-26 only gives 15.4 kg N vs 23.4 kg N from DAP). Use the Cost Optimizer to compare all routes for your specific NPK requirement.