Government planning to set up Indian Council for Fertilizers Research;
Shri Ananth Kumar stresses on providing last mile timely availability of
quality fertilizers at affordable rates to the farmers.
The
Union Minister of Chemicals & Fertilizers and Parliamentary Affairs
Shri Ananth Kumar has advocated a “3 A” approach towards fertilizers in
the country, these being authenticity (Quality), availability and
affordability. Inaugurating a Conference of Officers of State
Agriculture Departments handling fertilizers in New Delhi today, Sh.
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.
Sh. Ananth Kumar said that till two years back, there used to be
shortage of urea, leading to its hoarding, black-marketing and
smuggling. He congratulated the Indian Fertilizer manufacturers for
running the plants at over 100 per cent capacity and achieving an all
time record of 245 lakh MT urea production last year. The Minister said
that the timely imports, pre-positioning of the fertilizers,
contribution of the States in timely distribution, and cooperation of
the Railways through Good Rake Movement also helped in making the
fertilizer position comfortable in the country.
Sh. Ananth 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. He
also said that the unethical practices of the retailers/companies to tag
certain items for selling to farmers along with the required
fertilizers, should be discouraged. The Minister also emphasized on the
issue of soil security and ways to compost initiative. He said the
Government is reviving the sick fertilizer PSU and the basic principle
of producing where it is being consumed.
Sh. Ananth Kumar said that the Government is soon planning to set up
Indian Council for Fertilizers Research, on the lines of ICMR and ICAR.
He 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. He said research has a role to play in the all aspects of
the fertilizer chain which includes production, transportation, storage,
availability, application, etc.
The Minister of State for Chemicals and Fertilizers, and Road
Transport, Highways and Shipping Sh. Mansukh L Mandaviya said that Prime
Minister has given a call to double the income of farmers and the
Department is working on this direction by reducing their input costs.
He said that poor farmers are often misguided by certain vested interest
and it is essential to launch a campaign to inform them about the best
practices, balanced and optimum use of fertilizers. He said that
recently the Government announced reduction in non-urea fertilizers and
the farmers should be made aware about this. He called upon the States
to work in tandem with the Central Government for the welfare of the
farmers.
The Conference of Principal Secretaries/Secretaries/Directors dealing
with the Agriculture Departments in the State/UTs is the first such
initiative of the Department of Fertilizers. The Central and the State
Government officials dealing with the various aspects of fertilizers
discussed various issues concerning the sector including availability
and supply of fertilizers, implementation of Direct Benefit Transfer
Scheme, fertilization and neem-coating of urea, quality control of
fertilizers, issues in Fertilizer Monitoring System and promotion of
city compost.
*****
YKB/NV
(Release ID :149126)
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