AgroSpectrum - AgroSpectrum India August 2024

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SETTING SIGHTS ON SELF-SUFFICIENCY IN FERTILISER PRODUCTION Fertiliser imports dropped by nearly 10 per cent in 2023-24 as local production increased, aiming for self-sufficiency in urea. Urea imports dropped 7 per cent to 7.04 million metric tonnes (MMT) due to a 20 per cent jump in domestic output to 31.4 MMT in 2023-24, according to the data. Lower imports of urea also came on the back of higher local production of nano urea, a liquid form of the farm chemical, as well as a move towards eco-friendly alternatives by farmers. The Indian Farmers Fertiliser Cooperative (IFFCO) has sold about 3.3 MMT of locally produced nano urea worth about Rs 7 crore between August 2021 to February 2024. Private players too are contributing to the growth of the fertiliser industry by increasing production of nano urea. Coromandel International Limited has unveiled a state- of-the-art nano fertiliser plant at its Kakinada complex in Andhra Pradesh. Hindustan Urvarak & Rasayan Limited (HURL) has announced partnership with Ray Nano Science & Research Centre for the production and distribution of nano urea. However, the fertiliser industry is struggling with the challenges such as increased rates of raw materials, dependency on imports for Potash, government’s subsidy policies for the fertiliser sector. Efforts are being made to reduce this dependency and move towards self-sufficiency.