April 2024

Bharat aims to halt urea imports by the end of 2025, as increased domestic production bridges the demand-supply gap, according to Chemicals and Fertilisers Minister Mansukh Mandaviya.

Mandaviya emphasised the significance of fertilisers for Indian agriculture, noting the nation’s 60–65-year history of using chemical fertilisers to boost crop yields.

The government is now championing alternative fertilisers like nano liquid urea and nano liquid di-ammonium phosphate (DAP) for better crop and soil health.

Mandaviya detailed the Modi government’s strategy to achieve urea self-sufficiency, including reviving closed urea plants and boosting domestic production capacities.

Presently, India needs approximately 350 lakh tonnes of urea annually, with current domestic production at 310 lakh tonnes, up from 225 lakh tonnes in 2014-15.

The aim is to produce around 325 lakh tonnes annually post-commissioning of a new plant, targeting the replacement of 20–25 lakh tonnes of conventional urea with nano liquid urea.

Mandaviya confidently stated that by 2025, India’s urea import dependency will cease, with the import bill reducing to zero.

Additionally, he highlighted the government’s efforts in ensuring fertiliser availability and managing prices for farmers, including the recent allocation of a fertiliser subsidy of Rs 1.64 lakh crore for 2024–25.