Speaking on the occasion of annual seminar of Fertilizer Association of India,Union Chemicals and Fertilizers Minister Mr Anant Kumar called upon the fertilizer industry to join hands with the govt in propagating the balanced use of fertilizers among farmers.
The Minister said there is an urgent need to use various nutrients in a proportionate manner. The government has taken up the issue on a large scale by distributing soil health cards, opening soil labs and promoting neem coated urea while the industry is also putting in efforts to create awareness among the farmers.
Ananth Kumar also said the Government is contemplating a policy on converting waste to compost.
On the issue of revival of fertilizer plants, he called upon the Fertilizer Industry to step forward and be a partner. He said no new fertilizer plant has been set up in the last 15-20 years, and the country has to import 7-8 million tons per annum to meet the demand.
The Government has taken decision to revive several plants. The Government will provide land, gas subsidy,
infrastructure for these plants and the industry should come on board to take part in bids invited for these plants, the minister said.
Lauding the Fertilizer Industry for doing India proud, Kumar said the domestic industry has risen to the occasion in producing neem coated urea in shortest possible time. The Government is willing to facilitate the industry in overcoming its problems. He assured the industry that the issue of subsidy urea will soon be sorted out, he said.
Kumar said the government has already announced the New Urea policy which is based on the principles of stability and level playing field. This sector has grown more than 18 percent in the past one year and production is likely to grow up by about 15 lakh tones this year. More the industry produces, more it gains. Full advantage will be given for higher capacity utilization, he said.
Speaking on the occasion, the Minister of State for Chemicals and Fertilizers, Hansraj Gangaram Ahir called upon the Fertilizer Industry to come up with the ideas to boost the productivity. Mentioning the coal-based gasification technology, he said new researches and ideas are required to bring down the input cost for fertilizers.
Earlier Ananth Kumar and Hansraj Gangaram Ahir released four publications brought out by the Fertilizer Association of India. They also gave awards in various categories for the best performing industries and individuals in the sector-two cooperative giants IFFCO and Kribhco which are in fertilizer sector claimed majority of these awards bringing cheers among votaries of the cooperative movement.
