The Department of Fertilisers is ready with an Action Plan to make India Aatmanirbhar in Rock Phosphate, the key raw material of DAP and NPK Fertilizers, says Mansukh Mandaviya, Minister of State for Chemicals and Fertilisers. 

Mandaviya said, “I am glad that the Department of Fertilisers is ready with an Action Plan to make India Aatmanirbhar in Rock Phosphate, the key raw material of DAP and NPK Fertilizers. By following the clarion call of ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ given by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India is surely marching towards achieving Aatmanirabharta in fertilisers in the time to come.”

Mandaviya directed to commercially exploit and ramp up the production in the existing 30 Lakh MT of Phosphorite deposits which are available in Rajasthan, central part of peninsular India, Hirapur (MP), Lalitpur (UP), Mussoorie syncline, and Cuddapah basin (AP). The discussion and planning with the Department of Mining and Geological Survey of India is going on to expedite the exploration of the potential potassic ore resources in Rajasthan’s Satipura, Bharusari & Lakhasar and Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, and Karnataka. All the departments are working jointly to start the mining of potential reserves as soon as possible.

The Action Plan included the steps to minimize the import dependency of costly raw material imported from abroad and make it accessible and affordable to farmers.

Rock Phosphate is the key raw material for DAP and NPK fertilisers and India is 90% dependent on imports. Volatility in international prices affects domestic prices of fertilisers and hinders the progress and development of the agriculture sector in the country.