Addressing a webinar organized by IFFCO on “Self-Reliant India & Sustainable Agriculture” on Saturday Union Minister of Chemicals and Fertilizers D V Sadananda Gowda lauded the IFFCO’s Nano experiment and called it a game changer.
The minister was speaking as the chief guest on the occasion, in which more than 1500 farmers from Karnataka were connected through Zoom and who watched the event live on YouTube.
IFFCO MD Dr U S Awasthi, IFFCO Marketing Director Yogendra Kumar, IFFCO’s Karnataka Marketing Manager Dr Narayanaswamy, Agriculture scientists from University of Agricultural Sciences Bangalore and other eminent dignitaries participated in the webinar.
Gowda talked extensively about the Nano range of fertilizers which is being developed by IFFCO and for which the fertilizer cooperative has filed application with the govt for patenting.
“Nano products will not only lead to less cost of cultivation but also more yields to farmers; I will personally look into its Patent issue on priority this Monday-Tuesday “, said the Minister displaying a gesture of an industry friendly govt.
“As per prime minister Narendra Modi’s Atma Nirbhar Bharat vision to promote indigenous industries, we are converting all fertilizer companies to gas based technology. Recently we have revived four urea plants (Ramagundam, Sindhri, Barouni and Gorkhpur) in India. By 2023 we should become self -sufficient”, the minister underlined.
Minister also said black marketing of fertilisers needed to be checked. The govt has begun to punish them who are responsible for creating an artificial shortage. According to the minister, in any state stock of fertilisers should be not be more than 10 percent of the requirement. It is being monitored by the central govt through IFMS, he said.
Praising the efforts of IFFCO, Gowda said, “the efforts of IFFCO during the COVID pandemic period by not only giving regular supply of fertilisers but also organising campaigns by distributing masks, sanitiser and hand gloves to mitigate the spread of COVID pandemic was commendable.
“There are 31 fertilizer companies in India. This year due to good monsoon there is 40% increase in urea consumption. Fertiliser companies and railway department played a greater role in timely supply of fertiliser during the COVID pandemic period”, the minister asserted.
Highlighting the effectiveness of IFFCO’s Nano products, Awasthi said it will be a revolution in agriculture. One nano bottle is equal to one bag and a farmer no longer needs to carry a bag on his shoulder. It costs 10% less than the older versions of urea and it also does not require any subsidy. This technology will also help in fulfilling the dream of PM Narendra Modi of doubling the income of farmers. It’s a step towards PM’s vision of Atma Nirbhar Bharat, he added.
During the webinar, IFFCO’s theme song “Mitti ki jaan, Kisaan kishaan” was played in Kannada for the farmers of Karnataka.