Highest ever production of Urea of 245 lakh MT in 2015-16

NEW DELHI: The Union Minister of Chemicals and Fertilizers  Ananth Kumar on Thursday  informed that there has been highest ever production of urea in the country since independence. Talking to the media in New Delhi, he said the production of 245 lakh MT in the year 2015-16 is about 20 lakh MT more than the last year’s production. The additional production of 20 lakh MT of Urea in the country has not only helped in saving foreign exchange but also in imports substitution. Ananth Kumar attributed the new Urea policy implemented since last year to the visionary leadership and reform oriented action plan of the Prime Minister  Narendra Modi. Dedicating the highest production of urea in the country to the country’s anndata -the farmers’, he complimented the team work and diligence of the employees and workers of the fertilizer industry for the achievement. The increased production is equivalent to production capacity of almost 2 new urea plants without any additional investment.

The Minister also mentioned the following important milestones of the department:

• Neem Coating of urea – It has been made mandatory for all the indigenous producers of urea to produce 100% of their total production of subsidized urea as neem coated urea. The imported urea is also being coated and thus 100% neem coated urea is being supplied for agricultural use. Since neem coated urea can not be used for industrial purposes, illegal diversion of subsidized urea to non-agricultural use could be curbed. Neem coated urea also has the benefit of slow release of nitrogen and hence its consumption is less compared to un-coated urea.

• Adequate availability of fertilizers – The record indigenous production of urea as well as timely import of the fertilizer has ensured adequate and timely availability of fertilizers in all parts of the country.

• City Compost – Government of India has approved the policy of promotion of city compost. Under it, market development assistance in the form of fixed amount of Rs. 1500/- per tonne of city compost will be provided for scaling up production and consumption of the product. Government Departments and PSUs have been asked to use city compost to the extent possible for their horticulture and related use.

• Promoting SSP production – The Government has removed the minimum capacity utilization criteria for Single Super Phosphate (SSP) units to be eligible for the subsidy under the Nutrient Based Subsidy scheme. SSP is one of the cheapest chemical fertilizer available and it is one of the more suited for crops like oil seeds, pulses, horticulture, vegetables, sugarcane, etc. The policy will help to revive small SSP units and encourage new units to come up in the country to further boost indigenous production of SSP.

Speaking on the occasion, the Agriculture and farmers’ welfare minister  Radha Mohan Singh said that there are now no complaints of fertilizer shortages in the country. Emphasising on the balanced use of fertilizers, he mentioned about the initiatives taken by the government in launching soil health card and mobile soil labs. The Minister of state for Chemicals and fertilizers Hansraj Gangaram Ahir talked about reducing the consumption of chemical fertilizers. He said that the Government has taken steps for revival of 5 plants. He emphasised on reducing the transportation costs and time in distribution of fertilizers.