Narendra Tomar, Union Agriculture Minister and Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, Union Minister of Chemicals and Fertilizers jointly chaired a review meeting on the situation of Fertilizers with the agriculture ministers of States and UTs on Monday virtually.
The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, had approved the proposal of the Department of Fertilizers for Nutrient Based Subsidy (NBS) rates for Phosphatic and Potassic (P&K) fertilizers for Kharif Season – 2022.
Subsidy approved by the Cabinet for the NBS Kharif-2022 is Rs. 60,939.23 Crores including support for indigenous fertilizer (SSP) through freight subsidy and additional support for indigenous manufacturing and imports of DAP.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr Mansukh Mandaviya said, “With the government’s proactive steps in pre-positioning Urea, DAP and NPK and other fertilizers supply, currently, we have more stock for supply of fertilizers for this kharif season than the demand.”
He also urged States to make farmers aware of recent trends in the fertilizers market and alternate fertilizers and agriculture practices like use of nano urea, and organic farming should be promoted.
The Union Minister informed that the increase in the international prices of Di-ammonium phosphate (DAP) and its raw materials have been primarily absorbed by the Union Government.
The Union Minister also advised States to undertake micro-planning of fertilizer movement within the states strictly as per the requirement and do timely unloading of rakes for better utilization of the rolling stock. States were also advised to do adequate prepositioning of fertilizers especially in the Co-operative Channel.
Narendra Singh Tomar said “We are committed to provide support for agriculture, which is a priority sector for us. Be it investment, Kisan Credit Card, insurance schemes, crop diversification, horticulture, we have always worked to strengthen this sector. “
Secretary, Department of Fertilizers, RK Chaturvedi gave a brief snapshot of the Fertilizers situation in the country.
The Union Government has decided to provide a subsidy of Rs. 2501 per bag on DAP instead of the existing subsidy of Rs.1650 per bag which is a 50% increase over the last year’s subsidy rates. The increase in the prices of DAP & its raw material is in the range of approx. 80%. It will help farmers to receive notified P&K fertilizers on subsidized, affordable and reasonable rates and support the agriculture sector, he added.
It bears recall that the co-op sector claims to be the mainstay of the country so far as fertilizer production is concerned. IFFCO alone accounts for more than 20% of fertilizer production in the country with kribhco chipping in with its huge production capacities.