The Managing Director of Indian Farmers Fertiliser Cooperative Limited K J Patel met Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Amit Shah in New Delhi on Saturday, holding wide-ranging discussions on the performance of IFFCO and the future role of cooperatives in strengthening India’s rural economy.
During the meeting at the minister’s residence office, the IFFCO Managing Director briefed Shah on the cooperative’s overall operational performance, including progress in manufacturing and sales of conventional fertilisers as well as specialty products. A key focus of the discussion was the expanding role of Nano fertilisers, which have emerged as a flagship innovation of the cooperative sector in recent years.
Patel highlighted the steady growth in the domestic adoption of Nano Urea and Nano DAP, along with a significant rise in exports, indicating growing global confidence in India’s cooperative-led agri-innovation.
The export expansion reflects increasing international acceptance of Nano fertilisers as cost-effective, environmentally sustainable alternatives to conventional fertilisers, particularly in regions facing high input costs and soil degradation challenges.
A major milestone shared during the meeting was the progress of IFFCO Nanoventions, a joint venture between IFFCO and a Brazilian partner. Under this collaboration, a Nano fertiliser manufacturing plant is being set up in Brazil and is expected to become operational by June 2026. Once commissioned, the facility will mark a significant step in taking Indian cooperative technology to overseas markets and strengthening South-South cooperation in agriculture.
The upcoming Brazil plant was positioned as a concrete outcome of the government’s broader vision of Sahakar Se Samriddhi, which seeks to strengthen cooperatives as drivers of economic growth, farmer prosperity, and rural development. The initiative aligns with India’s efforts to promote cooperative institutions as globally competitive, professionally managed, and farmer-centric enterprises.
The meeting also covered IFFCO’s initiatives in farmer education, awareness, and capacity building aimed at ensuring effective and responsible adoption of Nano fertilisers at the grassroots level. These efforts include field demonstrations, training programmes, and digital outreach through cooperative networks, helping farmers understand dosage, application methods, and long-term benefits for soil health and productivity.
Discussions further focused on strategies to deepen the role of cooperatives in agriculture-led development by leveraging IFFCO’s extensive and trusted cooperative network spread across the country. Emphasis was placed on strengthening last-mile connectivity with farmers, improving service delivery, and enabling cooperatives to act as engines of inclusive growth in rural areas.
The interaction underscored the importance of partnerships between cooperative institutions and farmers in addressing key challenges such as rising input costs, sustainability, and income enhancement. With its expanding international footprint, technological innovation, and strong domestic base, IFFCO was seen as playing a pivotal role in shaping the future trajectory of India’s cooperative movement.
Writing on social media Patel said “I express my sincere gratitude to the Hon’ble Minister for his guidance, encouragement, and for graciously sparing time from his busy schedule for this insightful interaction. IFFCO remains committed to playing a leadership role in realising the shared dream of prosperous farmers and strong cooperatives.”
