Union Chemical and Fertilzer Minister Ananth Kumar has announced formation of Indian Council for Fertilizers Research, on the lines of ICMR and ICAR. Kumar was speaking in a Conference of officers of States and UTs in New Delhi on Tuesday which deliberated exhaustively on the subject fertilizer for the first time perhaps.
Kumar said research is very much required to discover and develop various means and ways of producing quality fertilizers, fortified fertilizers, hybrid fertilizers, nutrients and various combinations which are good for the soil.
Inaugurating the Conference Union Minister Ananth Kumar said that the ultimate aim of the Government should be to provide last mile timely availability of quality fertilizers at affordable rates to the farmers. This, he said, would ensure the fertilizers security of the country which is essential for the food security.
Various aspects of fertilizers discussed included its availability, supply of fertilizers, implementation of Direct Benefit Transfer Scheme, fertilization and neem-coating of urea, quality control of fertilizers and promotion of city compost.
Kumar asked the State Government officials to enforce quality checks on the fertilizers, undertake district level planning for supply of fertilizers, ensure early turnaround of rakes, provide adequate storage facilities, and take benefit of pre-positioning. He called upon the States to initiate a drive against those who indulge in hoarding, black-marketing, diversion and smuggling of fertilizers.
The Minister of State for Chemicals and Fertilizers Mansukh L Mandaviya along with several officials were present on the occasion.
Major producers of fertilizer in the country belong to cooperative sector with IFFCO and Kribhco leading from the front.