An Atmanirbhar Move

The government secured fertiliser supplies during the crisis precipitated by the Russia-Ukraine war. Despite facing challenges, the government has forged long-term agreements and created joint ventures with resource-rich nations.

It is supporting industry in identifying opportunities across the value chain by strengthening domestic operations, building long-term partnerships, investing in resource-rich geographies for securing raw materials and promoting alternate fertilisers and natural farming.

Atmanirbhar Bharat (Self-Reliant India) Abhiyan

This mission was announced during the pandemic with an allocated funds worth Rs. 20 lakh crore (US$ 268.74 billion), which is approximate 10% of India’s GDP.
It provides a stimulus package to help recover the economy by providing incentives for domestic production.
The key objectives of the mission are:
- Develop India into a global supply chain hub.
- Build the government’s trust in the private sector capabilities and prospects.
- Establish ‘good force multipliers’ for Indian manufacturers.
- Enter the global markets to export goods including agriculture, textiles, clothing, and jewellery.
- Determine adequacy of each sector (e.g., defence, agriculture, healthcare, infrastructure, etc.)to achieve self-reliance.
The mission encompasses themes such as ‘Local for Global: Make in India for the World’ and ‘Vocal for Local.’

Vocal for Local Call

It is a call for a comprehensive civilisational self-renewal which articulates India’s engagement with the world at a time when the narrative of globalisation is being sharply debated and examined.
Vocal for Local initiative is not just about import substitution; it is about creating a self-sustaining and self-generating economy.
India’s department of fertilisers has made significant strides in achieving self-reliance in the sector.

How did India Achieve Self-Reliance in the Fertiliser Sector?

Proactive Steps by the Government

The government has taken proactive stance in securing fertiliser supplies during the crisis caused by the Russia-Ukraine war.
Despite facing challenges such as scarcity of raw materials, gas, oil, rock phosphate and potash, the government has forged long-term agreements and created joint ventures with resource-rich nations.

Government Provided Support to Industry

It is supporting industry in identifying opportunities across the value chain by strengthening domestic operations, building long-term partnerships, investing in resource-rich geographies for securing raw materials and promoting alternate fertilisers and natural farming.

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Setup of Overseas Joint Ventures

Industry has been encouraged to set up overseas joint ventures to secure raw materials.
Joint venture plants have been set up in some countries with buy-back agreements and assured off-take agreements for the supply of 10 LMT of rock phosphate and 6.55 LMT of phosphoric acid.
As a result of strategic partnerships with countries such as Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Canada, etc, India has secured a supply of 157 LMT (lakh metric tonnes) of various fertilisers for three years and 32 LMT for four years.

Push to Domestic Industry

The government has also encouraged the domestic industry and public sector undertakings to sign long-term agreements for the import of raw materials/intermediates such as ammonia, phosphoric acid, and sulphur.
These initiatives have enabled India to diversify its product portfolio and produce more NPK complexes, which offer not only a wider range of products to farmers but also ensure balanced nutrition.

Innovation in the field of Fertiliser Sectors: ‘Nano Urea’

Government of India has recently notified the specifications of Nano nitrogen under the Fertilizer Control Order, 1985.
Nano Fertilizers hold great promise for application in plant nourishment because of the size-dependent qualities, high surface-volume ratio, and unique optical properties.
Nano fertilizer releases plant nutrients in a controlled manner contributing to higher nutrient use efficiency.
During farmer field trials on 94 crops conducted by Indian Council of Agriculture Research (ICAR)- Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs), an 8% increase in crop yieldwith foliar application of Nano urea was observed.

Key Achievements of Government’s Policy Framework for Fertiliser Sector

Remarkable improvement in the opening stocks of DAP, MOP and other NPK fertilisers in Kharif 2023.
The opening stocks have increased from 7.73 LMT, 2.47 LMT and 13.8 LMT in Kharif 2022 to 27 LMT, 14 LMT and 31.2 LMT respectively.
The Department of Fertilisers has positioned India as a key player in the global fertiliser supply chain.

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