After Increasing Subsidy, Govt Now Plans Enhancing Production Of P&K Fertilizers To Counter Globally Rising Prices

The central government has given the go-ahead to exponentially increase the production of diammounium phosphate (DAP) fertilizers in order to counter the increase in prices of raw material in the international market this year.

This follows the decision to shoot up the subsidies of DAP by 140 per cent to Rs 1200/bag amidst this kharif season to safeguard the farmers from the growth in global prices.

Mansukh Mandaviya, Union Minister of State (MoS) for Chemical and Fertilizers, has instructed for commercial exploitation and escalation in production in the 30 lakh tonne of phosphorite deposits that are currently available in central part of peninsular India, Lalitpur (Uttar Pradesh), Hirapur (Madhya Pradesh), Cuddapah basin (Andhra Pradesh), Musoorie syncline (Uttarakhand), Rajasthan etc.

Similarly, Mandaviya has tasked the stakeholders from the industry and also the ministry officials to enhance the availability of phosphatic fertilizers to cut down the country’s dependence on imports for the same.

The costs of ammonia, phosphoric acid and some items used in DAP have increased by 60 per cent-70 per cent since late March, Financial Express reports. Moreover, the minister also stated that the Department of Fertilizers has drawn out an action plan to make the country self-reliant in rock phosphate, which is a critical raw material for the production of DAP.