Message From Secretary

Fertilizer is one of the most important agricultural inputs. The fertilizer sector plays a crucial role in ensuring food security of the nation. Fertilizers were at the driving seat during green revolution, which made India self-sufficient in food crops. As a result, at the dawn of 2151 century, India has been in a comfortable position with respect to food security. 

 India’s population is expected to grow to around 1.6 billion by 2047, the 1001h  year of Independence. It will be a challenge to feed such a large population of the country. This will be a big challenge given that increasing production by incorporating more areas under Net Sown Area will be difficult. Further due to industrialization and urbanization, the area under cultivation may decrease in future. In such a scenario, increasing production for food grains can be ensured only through increasing productivity of the existing Net Sown Area. In this situation, fertilizers will play a big role. Application of the right quantity of fertilizer at right time will be a must for increasing the productivity.

The Government of India through Department of Fertilizers is working tirelessly towards the goal of ensuring food security by ensuring availability of right kind of fertilizers to the farmers at reasonable prices. Government of India bears a huge cost of subsidy every year in this endeavour of helping the farmers. In this pursuit, Government of India has come up with various policies and schemes such as New Urea Policy, inclusion of SSP in the freight subsidy regime and Nutrient Based Subsidy scheme. Department of Fertilizers has been promoting various innovations which will benefit farmers and reduce subsidy burden on the government.

The unprecedented changes and the headwinds created by outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic and resultant lockdowns at national and international level were the trigger point to challenge the human minds which paveda new way for the fertilizer industry. There were plentiful hurdles to overcome, but then there were potential solutions to. The efforts of the Government yielded good results and we could secure desired raw materials like Ammonia, Phosphoric Acid, Rock phosphate etc. along with finished fertilizers like DAP, MOP and NPKs. The real test of any system is it’s vibrancy in the crisis situation. The current crisis situation has surely taught us to be prepared for any unwanted situation that can hinder the growth story of the country.

Post   COVID-19  outbreak,   agriculture   sector  displayed   an  unprecedented resilience amidst the pandemic uncertainty, thereby registering a record food grain production and horticulture output. This reflects the strong commitment of the Indian farmers by ensuring food security for the nation under challenging circumstances. At the foundation of this achievement had been the Fertilizer sector, which ensured timely and last mile delivery of fertilizers. This was driven by indigenous production, timely imports and continuous movement of fertilizers during the lockdown phase. All these were further facilitated by the exemptions given by the Government of India to agriculture sector from lockdown restrictions. 

Some new trends also emerged in the fertilizer sector during the  post Covid period this period, such as more use of alternate Fertilizers like SSP and NPKs (vis a vis DAP) that may be a future to be witnessed which ultimately may result in balanced use of Fertilizers. The role of State Governments has been worth appreciating in sensitizing the farmers about the use of alternate Fertilizers. The Government also took steps towards promotion of Organic Fertilizers. The introduction of Potash Derived From Molasses (PDM), an organic fertilizer, which has also been included in the subsidy regime, is a welcome move towards addressing MOP tightness. Further, in the ongoing series of reforms, the recently announced Nano (liquid)Urea And Drone Policy will promote the application of fertilizers by drones, which could be a game changer balanced use of fertilizers paving way for precision agriculture in India. Launch of Nano Urea in 2020 is historic moment in the fertilizer sector. Nano Urea has high nutrient use efficiency, environment friendly and easy to use. This has potential to reduce subsidy burden on the government.

The Covid-19 induced uncertainties, over the last two years, have made  the nations rethink their strategic priorities. For India, recognition of agriculture and fertilizer as  essential sectors has further reinforced their importance in nation building and achieving self-sufficiency in agriculture sector. Atma Nirbhar Bharat, being the thrust of the Government, has been ensured in the fertilizer sector. The revival of old/sick Urea plants is likely to add another 7 Million Metric Tonnes production of Urea that will reduce the import dependency. Further, the Government is ensuring long term arrangements for the intermittent period from various international manufacturing facilities so that there is security of supplies at competitive prices. The Government is acting as a facilitator in these efforts which are expected to fructify in days to come. The sustainable agriculture practices along with integrated nutrient management needs to be adopted on mission mode, which India is believed to accomplish soon. 

Currently the magazines dealing with analytical data and price related to fertilizer commodities are based in Europe. India being the third largest producer and consumer of nitrogenous fertilizers and dependent on imports for Urea (20%), DAP(50%), MOP(100%) and raw materials(80%)  for phosphatic fertilizers, Department of Fertilizers has decided it would be appropriate to start its own magazine. It will contain domestic as well as global fertilizer market information such as price trends, consumption, various technological innovations and Government schemes.

Department of Fertilizers is very happy to release the first edition of monthly magazine “Indian Fertilizer Bulletin” which has information on international and domestic prices of fertilizers and raw materials, status of fertilizers availability, stories of successful farmers  and  other  relevant  information related to the Fertilizer sector.  I hope  this magazine will be helpful for all stakeholders.