Delivering his keynote address at the IFA Technical Symposium IFFCO MD batted strongly for taking steps for conserving energy and reducing carbon emissions. He also listed the steps already initiated by the leading Indian fertilizer producer IFFCO in this direction.
Dr Awasthi told the assembled gathering that IFFCO is implementing energy saving projects by replacing old machines by new energy efficient ones. India uses 6% of world primary energy. Growth needs to come from the least possible energy intensity to fulfill basic requirements of the global nutrition, he added.
IFFCO MD said though Global fertiliser industry contributes even less than 1% to the total GHG emissions, it needs to be reduced further. Citing Indian case he said the country’s fertiliser industry shares about 9% of total global fertiliser production and contributes about 0.96% of GHG emissions.
In spite of low energy consumption Indian fertiliser industry is committed to reducing the GHG emissions, he promised. Energy is the main input segment of various industries including agriculture and we need to look for renewable resources to reduce carbon emissions, he underlined.
He lauded the role of Indian agencies such as NAPCC and NMEEE in improving living standards of people by helping in the reduction of carbon emissions.
Laying out the road-map for Indian fertilizer industry he exhorted them to revamp plants, switch over to natural gas and introduce energy saving schemes. Lauding Ammonia plants he said “Indian Ammonia plants are one of the best operating plants globally as their weighted energy consumption was 7.86Gcal/MT compared to 8.60Gcal/MT of world.
MD demanded that the Indian fertiliser sector be allowed to display its competitive edge in a global environment. . MD said IFFCO is not only implementing energy saving schemes but also empowering farmers to go for balanced fertilizer use.
IFFCO strongly recommends the use of mix and match of green manure, vermi compost and organic fertilisers along with chemical fertilisers, he emphasized. In this context he talked of Save the Soil campaign launched by IFFCO many years ago.
Batting for environment he said “We in India work towards production with least energy as we stand committed for a greener and better planet for living.”
Earlier, he welcomed the delegates and complemented Joint MD Rakesh Kapur for his scintillating opening remarks. Kapur also happens to be the Vice President of the IFA.
Readers would note that internationally known personalities connected with the fertilizer sector have assembled in Delhi for a brain-storming session on the process improvements in fertilizer production. Titled “Global Technical Symposium”, the event is being organized by International Fertilizer Industry Association (IFA) headquartered in Paris.
The three day Symposium is being jointly organized with Fertilizer Association of India (FAI) in New Delhi from 14th to 17th March. The IFA is an international body connected with the fertilizer sector having 540 Members covering 80 countries across the world.