An Atmanirbhar Move

Why in News?

• The second term of Modi government has focused on 'Self-Reliant India' which is an essential component to make 21st century India's century.
• Among other achievements of the government such as excellent management of Covid-19 crisis, focus on self-reliance in fertilisers has helped tide over a difficult period.

 

Atmanirbhar Bharat (Self-Reliant India) Abhiyan

• This mission was announced during the pandemic with an allocated funds worth Rs. 20 lakh crore (US$ 268.74 billion), which is approximate 10% of India’s GDP.
• It provides a stimulus package to help recover the economy by providing incentives for domestic production.
• The key objectives of the mission are:
  • Develop India into a global supply chain hub.
  • Build the government's trust in the private sector capabilities and prospects.
  • Establish 'good force multipliers' for Indian manufacturers.
  • Enter the global markets to export goods including agriculture, textiles, clothing, and jewellery.
  • Determine adequacy of each sector (e.g., defence, agriculture, healthcare, infrastructure, etc.)to achieve self-reliance.
• The mission encompasses themes such as ‘Local for Global: Make in India for the World’ and ‘Vocal for Local.’

 

Vocal for Local Call

• It is a call for a comprehensive civilisational self-renewal which articulates India’s engagement with the world at a time when the narrative of globalisation is being sharply debated and examined.
• 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.

 

How did India Achieve Self-Reliance in the Fertiliser Sector?

• Proactive Steps by the Government
  • The government has taken a proactive stance in securing fertiliser supplies during the crisis caused 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.
• Government Provided Support to Industry
  • 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.
• Setup of Overseas Joint Ventures
  • 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, etc, India has secured a supply of 157 LMT (lakh metric tonnes) of various fertilisers for three years and 32 LMT for four years.
• Push to Domestic Industry
  • 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.
• Innovation in the field of Fertiliser Sectors: ‘Nano Urea’
  • Government of India has recently notified the specifications of Nano nitrogen under the Fertilizer Control Order, 1985.
  • Nano Fertilisers hold great promise for application in plant nourishment because of the size-dependent qualities, high surface-volume ratio, and unique optical properties.
  • Nano fertiliser releases plant nutrients in a controlled manner contributing to higher nutrient use efficiency.
  • During farmer field trials on 94 crops conducted by Indian Council of Agriculture Research (ICAR)- Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs), an 8% increase in crop yield with foliar application of Nano urea was observed.

 

Some other Government Schemes to support Fertiliser Sector and Farmers

• Nutrient based subsidy (NBS)
  • Under the NBS policy, a fixed rate of subsidy (in ₹per Kg basis) is announced on nutrients namely Nitrogen (N), Phosphate (P), Potash (K) and Sulphur (S) by the government on an annual basis.
  • Under the NBS regime, MRP of P&K fertilisers has been left open and fertiliser manufacturers/marketers are allowed to fix the MRP at reasonable rates.
• The Urea Policy (Pricing and Administration)
  • The MRP of urea is statutorily fixed by the Government of India.
  • Under the Central Sector Scheme, Urea is being provided to farmers at a statutory notified Maximum Retail Price (MRP) by the government.
  • The Government of India has notified fertilizer as an essential commodity under the Essential Commodities Act, 1955.
• Policy on Promotion of City Compost
  • The government approved a policy on promotion of City Compost, notified by the Department of Fertilisers (DoF) in 2016 granting Market Development Assistance of Rs. 1500/- for scaling up production and consumption of city compost.
  • To increase sales volumes, compost manufacturers willing to market city compost were allowed to sell city compost in bulk directly to farmers.
  • Fertiliser companies marketing city compost are covered under the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT)for Fertilisers.
• Use of Space Technology in Fertiliser Sector: DoF commissioned a three-year Pilot Study on “Resource Mapping of Rock Phosphate using Reflectance Spectroscopy and Earth Observations Data” by National Remote Sensing Centre under ISRO.

Key Achievements of Government’s Policy Framework for Fertiliser Sector

• 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.

Conclusion

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 the vision of an Atmanirbhar Bharat.

 

---

Q1) What is one nation one fertiliser scheme? 

To ensure uniformity in fertiliser brands across the country, the government issued an order requiring all enterprises to sell their goods under the 'Bharat' brand name. Regardless of the manufacturer, all fertiliser bags containing urea, di-ammonium phosphate (DAP), muriate of potash (MOP), or NPK shall have the brand names 'Bharat Urea,' 'Bharat DAP,' 'Bharat MOP,' and 'Bharat NPK'. The bag must bear a single brand name and the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janurvarak Pariyojana (PMBJP) emblem.

 

Q2) What is Neem Coated Urea Policy 2015? 

The government has mandated that domestic fertiliser companies "Neem coat" at least 75% of their urea production. Previously, there was a 35% restriction on this. The government has also permitted firms to charge a 5% extra for Neem-coated urea. This is done to control the overuse of urea, which is harming soil health and reducing total agricultural production. It will increase indigenous urea production and encourage energy efficiency in urea facilities.

 

---

Source: The Indian Express