India - Union Minister Shri Gauda holds supply meeting with the Fertilizer companies

The Union Minister for Chemicals and Fertilizers Shri D V Sadananada Gowda held a meeting with all the stake holders of fertiliser industry through Video conference to ensure adequate supply of fertiliser to farmer community during Kharif sowing season.

Union Minister said, ″Kharif season has started, and famers in various parts of the country have started their farming operations. In addition, we may experience a good monsoon season this year. Therefore, the demand for fertilisers may continue to remain at higher level tis year. Compared to last year, DBT sales of both urea and P & K fertilisers have been significantly higher in the months of April, May & June this year.

He further, added that the requirement of urea during Kharif season is estimated at 170 Lakh MT while production may be around 133 Lakh MT. The difference will be made available through imports. Already two global tenders have been floated and Department will continue to import urea to meet the requirements of farmers across the country.              

Shri Gowda also informed that availability of fertilisers have remained comfortable across the country so far, which was reported by various State Agriculture Departments during the last video conference held on June 9th 2020.

On the issue of fertilizers Subsidy, Shri Gowda said that the department has received requisite approval for fixation of nutrient based subsidy for P & K fertilisers, without which uncertainty about subsidy calculations would have prevailed and this could have adversely impacted production.  

He said, ″We are fully aware of the difficulty faced by fertiliser companies due to delay in payment of pending subsidy bills by the Department. We are working with Ministry of Finance to resolve the issues.  

The other major challenges being faced by Fertilizers industries viz., (a) shortage of laborers due to their migration to native places, (b) restriction on import of skilled manpower and (c) restriction on import of machinery/ equipment for execution of revival & ESS projects were also deliberated.

Secretary Department of Fertilizers Sh Chhabilendra Roul explained about efforts being taken by department officials to resolve movement of Fertilizer in co-ordination with M/o Railways, state Govts and other agencies during Covid. DG FAI Mr. Satish Chander, CMD/MD of varoius PSU, Co-operatives and Fertilizers companies and senior officers of the ministry were also present in the VC meeting.