The government has stated that domestic urea production in the country has significantly increased from 230 lakh metric tonnes to 315 lakh metric tonnes over the past decade. Responding to supplementary questions during Question Hour in the Lok Sabha today, Union Minister for Chemicals and Fertilizers, J.P. Nadda, said that several new fertilizer plants have been established in various locations, including Gorakhpur, Sindri, Barauni, Ramagundam, and Panagarh, since 2014 to boost production. He stated that India is strengthening its fertilizer supply chain through long-term agreements with various countries such as Jordan, Morocco, Saudi Arabia, and Oman to ensure a steady supply of imports.
The Minister assured that there is sufficient fertilizer available in the country for the Kharif season, and farmers should not be concerned. He also stated that the government is exploring diversification and new markets to secure raw materials.
Mr. Nadda mentioned that the government has taken several steps to promote balanced urea usage and reduce import dependence. He added that soil-based fertilization is being actively promoted through the Soil Health Card scheme. The Minister stated that approximately 24 crore Soil Health Cards have been distributed to farmers, enabling them to understand the specific nutrient requirements of their soil and crops.