Making Farmers’ Lives Easier is the Government’s Top Priority: Union Minister Shri J.P. Nadda

With the objective of implementing the Government of India’s policies with farmers at the center, ensuring the timely availability of fertilizers, and improving soil health, the Department of Fertilizers organized a day-long Chintan Shivir in New Delhi today.

The session witnessed the participation of senior officials from the Department of Fertilizers and State Governments, scientists, and industry’s representatives, who engaged in dialogue with Union Minister of Chemicals and Fertilizers Shri Jagat Prakash Nadda and Minister of State Smt. Anupriya Patel.

Addressing the gathering, Union Minister Shri J.P. Nadda emphasized that Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has always kept farmers at the core of governance. Therefore, our policies and decisions must aim to make the life of the farmer easier and better. Shri Nadda noted that despite various challenging circumstances, the Department has successfully met the fertilizer requirements of farmers. He highlighted that due to the farmer-friendly measures taken by the Department of Fertilizers, the country has achieved record production along with necessary imports this year.

The Union Minister further stated that various departments of the Government of India will work in coordination to tackle issues such as the balanced use of fertilizers and the diversion or misuse of fertilizers for non-agricultural purposes.

Minister of State Smt. Anupriya Patel remarked that the Prime Minister envisions India becoming the hub of the global food basket. This ‘Chintan Shivir’ will generate ideas that will aid in making India a developed nation by 2047, she said.

Fertilizer Secretary Shri Rajat Kumar Mishra stated that the Government, PSUs, and the Private Sector have all placed the farmer at the center of their brainstorming during the session. We have kept this Shivir so interactive that every idea can find a place on the table for deliberation and we expect better outcomes from the collective wisdom, he added.

During the one-day camp held at the National Agricultural Science Complex, New Delhi, 15 different groups engaged in extensive deliberations and provided effective suggestions to the Government. The Union Minister, Minister of State, and Fertilizer Secretary sat with each group individually to listen to their suggestions.

These groups discussed 15 key topics, including new age fertilizers, self-sufficiency in fertilizer production, outreach and farmer awareness, improving the fertilizer ecosystem through digital means, and Nutrient Based Subsidy etc.

Senior officials from PSUs of the Department of Fertilizers, along with representatives from cooperative societies and private companies, participated in the Chintan Shivir.