Speed Post News Network
New Delhi : To ensure adequate supply of Fertilisers to farmer Community during Kharif sowing season, Union Chemicals and Fertilisers Minister D V Sadananada Gowda held a meeting with all the stakeholders of Fertiliser industry through Video conference on nJune 16, 2020.
Speaking on the occasion, Gowda said “I would like to thank all the industry captains present here for cooperating with Government to contain adverse impact of corona pandemic. The crisis and consequent lockdown had thrown up several challenges which could have adversely impacted availability of fertilisers across the country. Fortunately, all of us were able to rise to the occasion and ensured that fertiliser availability for upcoming Kharif crop is comfortable.”
Gowda also said, ” As all of you know that 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.”. He emphasised that the demand for fertilisers may continue to remain at higher level this year also. 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 said.
He, however, 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.
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 9, 2020. “Continuing the tradition of the last 6 years, I have a firm belief that there will be no scarcity of fertilisers this year too,” he added
On the issue of fertilisers Subsidy, Gowda said that the department was also quick in getting requisite approval for fixation of nutrient based subsidy for P & K fertilisers without which there would have been uncertainty about subsidy calculations. 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 facing the Fertilisers 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, according to a PIB release.