MOU Signed with Jordan to Ensure Assured Fertiliser Supply to Farmers

"The Government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi is a pro-poor and pro-farmer Government that is committed to providing farmers with an assured supply of fertilizers. The country has an abundance of fertilizer." This was stated today by Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare and Chemicals and Fertilizers.

"We have taken proactive steps to ensure adequate supply to farmers ahead of the Kharif season, including increasing domestic production and forming partnerships with other countries," he added.

A high-level delegation led by Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya visited Jordan from May 13th to 15th, 2022, in a first-of-its-kind initiative, with the goal of securing fertilizers and raw materials for the short and long term. This crucial visit occurred against the backdrop of the ongoing global fertilizer crisis. Dr. Mandaviya stated that the Jordan visit was groundbreaking in terms of ensuring India's supply of phosphatic and potassium fertilizers.

MOUs were signed with Jordan Phosphate Mining Company (JPMC) for the current year's supplies of 30 LMT Rock Phosphate, 2.50 LMT DAP, and 1 LMT phosphoric acid with the Indian public, cooperative, and private sector companies. He also stated that India has signed a five-year MOU with Jordan for annual supplies of 2.75 LMT of MoP, which will gradually increase to 3.25 LMT. "These supplies will be critical for ensuring fertilizer supply for the upcoming cropping seasons in India," said the Union Minister.

Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya mentioned Jordan as India's preferred fertilizer partner during the meetings. Given the two countries' long history of trade and people-to-people contact, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya emphasized the importance of strengthening this relationship, particularly during these difficult times for the fertilizer sector.

Jordan was asked to take the lead in announcing India-specific terms for fertilizer supply and to consider additional production capacities in Jordan with India as a target prime market. Both parties agreed that there are numerous opportunities to collaborate in the fields of fertilizers, agriculture, and health.

The Indian delegation, led by the Union Minister of Chemicals and Fertilizers, paid visits to the JPMC mines and Phosphoric Acid production facilities established by JIFCO and the Indo-Jordan Company. The delegation was greeted warmly by all of the Indian engineers and labourers who work in these facilities. They appreciated the Minister's visit, which was the first of its kind and will help boost their morale while working on foreign soil.

The delegation also paid a visit to Arab Potash headquarters, where the Union Minister was greeted warmly by the Chairman, President, and CEO. Arab Potash officials gave a presentation on the current status and future plans for extracting MOP from the Dead Sea through 2058. Jordan is said to be allocating nearly 25% of its MOP production to India. While praising Arab Potash's efforts, Dr. Mandaviya emphasized the importance of increasing MOP supplies to India at reasonable rates.

Jordan expressed their desire for additional investments, particularly from Indian companies. While recognizing the experience of existing joint ventures with IFFCO and equity partnerships of companies such as IFFCO and IPL in JPMC, it was recognized that the Indian partners are strategic partners who have contributed all technical, financial, and marketing support in promoting capacity building within Jordan.

This was acknowledged as one of the causes of JPMC's turnaround. With this experience, the Jordan Minister stated that Indian investment will not only be welcomed but will also be given priority treatment in Jordan.

In terms of trade incentives, Jordan appreciated that India, as the largest buyer of phosphatic and potassic fertilizers, would be given preferential treatment. Both parties agreed to work on this issue and to develop a clear roadmap through the Joint Committee in a timely manner. They agreed to form a Joint Committee to investigate secured short and long-term fertilizer supplies, new investments, new joint ventures, and so on.

(Source: PIB)