The present disclosure generally relates to layer-wise agglomerated controlled release granular urea composition and methods of making and using the layer-wise agglomerated controlled release granular urea composition. In a particular composition, the water-soluble plant nutrient comprises urea, the binding material for the core comprises corn starch, the hydrogel for the coating layer comprises corn starch hydrogel, the core has a thickness of 2.5-3.5 mm and a closed porosity of 0.05-3%, and the coating layer has a thickness of 1.35-1.5 mm and a closed porosity of 0.1-5%.