Reiterating the government’s commitment to farmers’ welfare, Union Minister for Chemicals and Fertilizers Jagat Prakash Nadda on Saturday said that making the lives of farmers easier remains a top priority of the Centre. He was speaking at a day-long Chintan Shivir organised by the Department of Fertilizers in New Delhi, aimed at ensuring balanced fertilizer use, sustainable agriculture and improved soil health.
The Chintan Shivir brought together senior officials from the Department of Fertilizers and state governments, scientists, and representatives from public sector undertakings, cooperative societies and private industry. Union Minister of State Anupriya Patel also participated in the deliberations.
Addressing the gathering, Nadda said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has consistently placed farmers at the centre of governance, and policies must therefore focus on improving their livelihoods. He noted that despite several challenges, the Department of Fertilizers ensured a seamless supply of fertilizers to farmers across the country. According to him, farmer-friendly measures adopted by the department helped India achieve record fertilizer production this year, supplemented by necessary imports to meet demand.
The Union Minister underlined the need for coordinated efforts across government departments to promote balanced fertilizer usage and prevent diversion or misuse of fertilizers for non-agricultural purposes. He stressed that sustainable practices are essential for maintaining soil health and enhancing agricultural productivity in the long term.
MoS Anupriya Patel said that the Prime Minister envisions India emerging as a global food basket. She added that ideas generated during the Chintan Shivir would contribute to achieving the goal of a developed India by 2047.
Fertilizer Secretary Rajat Kumar Mishra said the discussions were designed to be highly interactive, with farmers’ interests at the core. He noted that the government, public sector units and the private sector collectively shared ideas, enabling meaningful outcomes through collaborative brainstorming.
Held at the National Agricultural Science Complex, the one-day event saw 15 groups deliberate on key issues and present actionable suggestions. The Union Minister, Minister of State and the Fertilizer Secretary engaged directly with each group to hear their views.
Discussions covered 15 major themes, including new-age fertilizers, self-sufficiency in fertilizer production, farmer outreach and awareness, strengthening the fertilizer ecosystem through digital tools, and the Nutrient-Based Subsidy framework.
