Amit Shah Inaugurates IFFCO’s Nano DAP Plant At Kalol In Gandhinagar, Gujarat

Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Shri Amit Shah, inaugurated the Nano DAP (Liquid) Plant of the Indian Farmers Fertilizer Cooperative (IFFCO) at Kalol in Gandhinagar, Gujarat. The event, attended by several dignitaries, witnessed Shri Amit Shah addressing the audience on the significance of the day and the critical role played by innovative agricultural solutions in India’s progress.

Dussehra Celebration and Freedom Fighters’ Birth Anniversary

Shri Amit Shah commenced the event by acknowledging the celebration of Dussehra, a festival symbolizing the victory of good over evil. He further stated that this day is also the birth anniversary of Captain Lakshmi Sehgal, a prominent freedom fighter who, alongside Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose, contributed significantly to the nation’s struggle for independence

Decoding Liquid Nano DAP

Nano DAP (Liquid) is a groundbreaking product that contains 8 percent nitrogen and 16 percent phosphorus. This innovative liquid fertilizer is poised to replace the traditional 50 kg bags of DAP, currently priced at Rs 1,350 for farmers. Union Home Minister Amit Shah emphasized that this transition will not only reduce India’s dependence on imported fertilizers but also significantly enhance the incomes of wheat, sugar, and potato farmers.

Make in India and IFFCO’s Contribution

The Union Home Minister commended IFFCO’s modern pan-India plant setup in Kalol, which serves as an exemplary instance of the “Make in India” initiative. He anticipated that the Kalol unit would produce approximately 42 lakh bottles of environmentally-friendly Nano DAP, benefiting farmers across the country.

Revolution in Agricultural Budget and MSP

Shri Amit Shah outlined the substantial increase in the agricultural budget under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, reaching Rs. 1,22,000 crores in the financial year 2023-24. This investment has translated into substantial results, with higher agricultural production, enhanced Minimum Support Prices (MSP), and increased credit facilities for farmers.

The Cooperative Contribution

The Indian agricultural landscape relies heavily on fertilizers, with around 384 lakh metric tonnes produced annually. Out of this total, cooperative societies are responsible for producing 132 lakh metric tonnes. IFFCO, as a prominent cooperative, contributes significantly, producing 90 lakh metric tonnes.

Fertilizer Subsidy and Nano Urea Expansion

The Union Minister highlighted the government’s commitment to supporting farmers by increasing the fertilizer subsidy from Rs. 73,000 crores in 2013-14 to Rs. 2,55,000 crores in 2023-24. He encouraged IFFCO to document the journey of Nano Urea and DAP, highlighting the significant expansion of production and the potential savings it offers.

The IFFCO Patent and Future Prospects

IFFCO boasts a patent for its nano urea and nano DAP, ensuring royalties for the cooperative for the next two decades. The central government affirms that the impact of a single 500 ml bottle of Nano DAP on crops is equivalent to that of a 45 kg bag of granular urea.

Revolutionizing Fertilizer Production and Environmental Impact

By 2025-2026, IFFCO anticipates manufacturing a staggering 18 crore bottles of Nano DAP, which, according to the cooperative, will reduce the consumption of 90 lakh tonnes of traditional DAP. Additionally, owing to its liquid form, Nano DAP minimally contaminates the land.

Advantages for Sustainable Agriculture

Union Home Minister Shah underscores the potential for liquid DAP and liquid urea to increase the population of earthworms in farmland, promoting natural farming practices without compromising production and income. This shift toward more sustainable agriculture also contributes to land conservation, offering a multi-faceted solution to address the challenges faced by Indian farmers.

A Path to Self-Sufficiency and Prosperity

With nearly 60 percent of India’s population still engaged in agriculture and related activities, this revolutionary development holds the promise of making India self-sufficient in food production and fertilizers. Reduced production costs and increased agricultural output will, in turn, contribute to bolstering the annual income of Indian farmers, ensuring their economic prosperity.