Mansukh Mandaviya, Minister of State for Chemicals and Fertilisers, chairs meeting with officials from the Department of Fertilizers to reduce the import of rock phosphate
Mansukh Mandaviya, Minister of State for Chemicals and Fertilisers chaired a meeting with officials of the Department of Fertilizers and stakeholders of fertilisers industries. The meeting was held to discuss the availability of phosphatic fertilisers (DAP and NPK) and to reduce the dependence on imports.
Rock phosphate is the key raw material for DAP and NPK fertilisers and India is 90 per cent dependent on imports. Volatility in international prices affects the domestic prices of fertilisers and hinders the progress and development of the agriculture sector in the country.
Mandaviya said, “I am glad that the Department of Fertilisers is ready with an action plan to make India Aatmanirbhar in Rock Phosphate, the key raw material of DAP and NPK Fertilisers.”
An action plan was chalked out for making India Aatmanirbhar in fertiliser production through indigenous resources. Mandaviya directed to commercially exploit and ramp up the production in the existing 30 lakh MT of Phosphorite deposits which are available in Rajasthan, the central part of peninsular India, Hirapur(MP), Lalitpur(UP), Mussoorie syncline, Cuddapah basin(AP).
Discussion and planning with the Department of Mining and Geological Survey of India are going on to expedite the exploration in the potential potassic ore resources in Rajasthan’s Satpura, Bharusari and Lakhasar and Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh & Karnataka. All the departments are working jointly to start the mining of potential reserves as soon as possible. The action plan included the steps to minimise the import dependency of costly raw material imported from abroad and make it accessible and affordable to farmers.