FAI Annual Seminar on 'New Approach to Fertilizer Sector' to be Held on 2-4 December

The theme of this year’s FAI Annual Seminar is “New Approach to Fertilizer Sector”. The objective is to explore the possibilities of bringing major changes in the policies related to fertilizer subsidy, controls on the industry and quality regulations. Presentations and discussion will take place in different areas of the fertilizer sector, viz., production, fertilizer use, fertilizer distribution logistics, and pricing policies.

The fertilizer continues to operate under archaic policies and regulations. In spite of the best intentions, successive governments have not been able to bring much-needed reforms in the sector. One of the reasons has been its linkage with the agriculture sector which by itself remains under stress. The situation has now come to a stage where the status quo is harming the very interest that policies are supposed to promote. The present policy environment is hurting the soil health, crop productivity, farmers’ income, viability of the industry and most important the environment. It may be underlined that it is also leading to sub-optional use of precious natural resources.

There is a need for revisiting the entire policy and regulatory environment for the fertilizer sector. Incremental changes have not helped in the past and will not do even now. There are various suggestions under discussion including direct transfer of subsidy to farmers’ accounts and shift of input subsidies to income support. Advances in technology and database of farmers created through different schemes viz., PM-Kisan, DBT for fertilizers, etc., should be helpful in bringing desirable reforms in the sector.

The fertilizer industry continues to contribute to an increase in agricultural productivity and farmers’ income. However, the pattern of use or lack of use of various plant nutrients is a matter of serious concern to all the stakeholders in agriculture. Further, the industry continues to face serious problems due to the lack of progress in ease of the operating environment. It is heartening to note that there has been a serious discussion on possible policy reforms in the sector, both inside and outside the government. Informed Shri Satish Chander, Director General, Fertilizer Association of India.

FAI Annual Seminar 2019 will be held during 2-4 December 2019 at Hotel Andaz Delhi, Aerocity, New Delhi.

For details contact - secy@faidelhi.org; acctt@faidelhi.org