New Delhi, Aug. 6 -- Indian startups are taking a crack at another market facing Chinese squeeze: specialty fertilizers.

The bulk of such agrochemicals, designed to deliver targeted nutrients based on soil and crops, are imported, with China contributing 80% of the shipments, according to industry estimates. However, minister of state for chemicals and fertilisers Anupriya Patel informed the Lok Sabha on 25 July that China has reportedly withheld shipments to India over the past two to three months. Just like in the case of rare earth magnets used by the auto industry.

Now, Nagpur-based Ishita International and Mitrasena Pvt. Ltd, and Ahmedabad's Agricell Crop Science, among other startups, are producing mono-ammonium phosphate and mono...