Opinion An Atmanirbhar move

Focus on self-reliance in fertilisers has helped tide over a difficult period

His government has just concluded four years after being re-elected to office in 2019. It is time to revisit these four years of Modi 2.0. (Express Photo)

Mansukh Mandaviya

June 13, 2023 10:19 AM IST First published on: Jun 13, 2023 at 07:35 AM IST

“When the world is in crisis, we must pledge — a pledge that is greater than the crisis itself. We must endeavour to make the 21st century, India’s century and the path to achieving this is self-reliance.” This powerful statement by Prime Minister Narendra Modi encapsulates the essence of Modinomics in more ways than one. His government has just concluded four years after being re-elected to office in 2019. It is time to revisit these four years of Modi 2.0. They have been extraordinary for the sheer number of opportunities seized to establish new milestones. PM Modi’s exceptional management of the Covid19 crisis and the ensuing challenges conveyed the message to concentrate, recalibrate, and advance without excessive indulgence. This is embodied in the plan for a self-reliant India, Atmanirbhar Bharat.

PM Modi’s 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. The government has shown foresightedness in securing fertiliser supplies during the crisis precipitated 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. 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.

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, Russia, Morocco, Israel, Senegal, Tunisia and South Africa, India has secured a supply of 157 LMT (lakh metric tonnes) of various fertilisers for three years and 32 LMT for four years.

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.

There has been a 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. India’s bold move towards self-reliance in fertiliser is a testament to the government’s commitment to ensuring food security for its citizens and fulfilling PM Modi’s vision of an Atmanirbhar Bharat.

The writer is Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare and Chemicals & Fertilisers