The government has issued a second global tender to import 70 lakh tonnes of urea for the Kharif season, despite a sharp rise in international prices, as it steps up steps to ensure adequate fertilizer supplies amid the Middle East crisis-related disruptions, PTI reported.The global price of urea has increased from $447 per tonne in February to $947 per tonne currently, Fertilizer Ministry Additional Secretary Aparna S Sharma said during an inter-ministerial briefing on recent developments in West Asia.The country has already secured 25 lakh tonnes of urea and 50 lakh tonnes of di-ammonium phosphate (DAP) from sources outside the Strait of Hormuz, with the consignment expected to arrive during June and July.“We have also issued a global tender for 70 lakh tonnes of urea, work on which is underway…This is the second tender for the Kharif season. The price in the global tender has not been decided yet,” Sharma said.According to the ministry, domestic fertilizer production during the West Asia crisis period was 104.81 lakh tonnes, while imports were 27.62 lakh tonnes, taking the total increase in availability to about 132.43 lakh tonnes.Keeping in mind the El Nino outlook, the Agriculture Ministry has revised down the fertilizer demand estimate after consultation with the State Governments.Urea demand for the 2026-27 Kharif season is estimated at 194 lakh tonnes, which is 4 lakh tonnes less than the earlier estimate. Sharma said, the demand for DAP has decreased by 6 lakh tonnes to 60 lakh tonnes.Kharif sowing season has started in some parts of the country, with farmers starting preparation of fields and early sowing activities in areas that have received pre-monsoon rainfall.