Indian Government Plan to Set Up Indian Council for Fertilizers Research

A “3 A” approach towards fertilizers in the country has advocated by Shri Ananth Kumar, who is the Union Minister of Chemicals & Fertilizers and Parliamentary Affairs. These "3 A" means authenticity (Quality), availability and affordability.

The ultimate aim of the Government should be to provide last mile timely availability of quality fertilizers at affordable rates to the farmers, said Sh. Ananth Kumar, while inaugurating a Conference of Officers of State Agriculture Departments handling fertilizers in New Delhi. He also said that for the food security the fertilizers security of the country is essential.

He informed that there used to be shortage of urea, leading to its hoarding, black-marketing and smuggling till two years back. But 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.

The Minister also emphasized on the issue of soil security and ways to compost initiative. The Government is soon planning to set up Indian Council for Fertilizers Research, on the lines of ICMR and ICAR. 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. This research is related to aspects of the fertilizer chain which includes production, transportation, storage, availability, application, etc.

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.

Source:http://pib.nic.in/