| Introduction: Brief introduction about the fertiliser industry. Body: Steps taken by the government to achieve self-reliance in the fertiliser sector and its effect on food security. Conclusion: Conclude with Vocal for Local initiative. |
India is the world’s second-largest consumer of fertilisers. The fertilisers department of India has made tremendous progress towards reaching sector self-reliance. During the Russia-Ukraine war, the government showed prudence by ensuring fertiliser supply in the market.
What steps are taken by the Indian government to achieve self-reliance in the fertiliser sector?
- Strategic Partnership: Indian Government has forged partnerships with countries such as Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Canada, Russia, Morocco, Israel, Senegal, Tunisia and South Africa, to secure a supply of various fertilisers like rock phosphate and potash, phosphoric acid.
- Support domestic industry and PSU: The government has also urged domestic businesses and government-run enterprises to negotiate long-term contracts for the import of intermediates and raw materials including ammonia, phosphoric acid, and sulphur.
- One Nation One Fertiliser scheme: The scheme is also known as Pradhanmantri Bhartiya Janurvarak Pariyojna (PMBJP)& is an important step towards the security of fertilisers. Only one-third of the fertiliser bags may bear a fertiliser company’s name, trademark while the remaining two-thirds will have the PMBJP’s emblem and the brand name “Bharat”.
- PM-Kisan Samruddhi Kendras (PM-KSK): They aim to bolster fertiliser security by serving as centres that provide a range of agricultural inputs including seeds, fertilisers, and farming tools, alongside soil, seed, and fertiliser testing.
- PM Promotion of Alternative Nutrients for Agriculture Management (PM PRANAM): The scheme seeks to provide incentives to states for promoting the adoption of organic manure, organic and bio-fertilisers, nano-urea and di-ammonium phosphate (DAP).
How have these initiatives impacted India’s food security?
- Crop yield: Due to efforts of self-reliance in the fertilizer sector, India has a cushion from the pitfalls of an increase in input cost which lower crop yield.
- Balanced Nutrition: Above mentioned initiatives have enabled India to diversify its fertilizer pool and produce more NPK complexes. This eventually helps farmers by providing a wide range of fertilizer options while at the same time ensuring balanced nutrition.
- Atmanirbhar Bharat: By ensuring a regular supply of fertilizer, India ensures that its targeted programmes like PM-POSHAN and Mid-day meal programmes are executed without any obstructions. India has cooperated with Asian Development Bank (ADB) to improve long-term food security by strengthening food systems against the impacts of climate change and biodiversity loss.
Conclusion:
The remarkable improvement of stocks of different fertilisers has positioned India as a vital player in the global supply chain for fertiliser & achieving PM vision of Vocal for Local to be a self-sustaining and self-generating economy.
