New Delhi, March 23: India has ample reserves of fertilizers for farmers, and its imports have also been diversified, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Monday, adding that the country is aiming for adequate sowing during the Kharif season.
Addressing the Parliament, PM Modi said the government has kept adequate reserves of fertilizers.
"We have taken several steps in previous years to support farmers. Fertilizer import has been diversified. We have also offered farmers the option of 'Make in India' fertilizers," the Prime Minister emphasized while speaking on the broader West Asia crisis in the Lok Sabha.
The government has assessed the impact on farmers and their need for fertilizer during the Kharif season. The measures taken in the last few years to maintain adequate fertilizer stocks will ensure timely availability and food security, the Prime Minister said.
Farmers have also been provided with over 22 lakh solar pumps to reduce their dependence on diesel, he added.
PM Modi further stated that India's focus on ethanol blending and production is also yielding results during these challenging times.
"Thanks to ethanol blending, we now import 4.5 crore fewer barrels of oil every year," he noted.
"The central government has also provided 15,000 e-buses to the state government, as our focus on alternative fuels is making the future safer," he added.
"Today, energy is the backbone of the economy. The Middle East is a major source of global energy needs. The government is taking measures to minimize the impact of disruptions in the Middle East, and the fundamentals of the Indian economy are very strong," PM Modi highlighted.
In a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), chaired by PM Modi, to review the West Asia situation, alternate sources of fertilizers were also discussed to ensure continued availability in the future. It was also determined that an adequate supply of coal stocks at all power plants will ensure no shortage of electricity in India.
Moreover, several measures were discussed to diversify the sources of imports required by the chemical, pharmaceutical, petrochemical, and other industrial sectors. Similarly, new export destinations to promote Indian goods will be developed in the near future.