India boosts fertilizer subsidy to protect farmers from rising costs

India increased its fertilizer subsidy by 11% to shield farmers from soaring costs driven by the Middle East war. This move aims to ensure fertilizers remain affordable for farmers, supporting India's crucial agriculture sector which sustains over 45% of the population. The subsidy scheme is valued at $4.48 billion for six months. The Middle East conflict has disrupted global fertilizer supplies, impacting food security through scarcity and higher prices, with a third of world fertilizers normally transiting the Strait of Hormuz.