Lok Sabha Question No. 286 (STARRED), answered on 2018-08-07
Subject: Production/Import of Urea
Ministry: CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS
Asked by: NISHIKANT  DUBEY, HARI MANJHI

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CHEMICALS & FERTILIZERS DEPARTMENT OF FERTILIZERS

## LOK SABHA

STARRED QUESTION NO. 286* TO BE ANSWERED ON: 07.08.2018

## PRODUCTIONIIMPORT OF UREA

286 SHRI NISHIKANT DUBEY: SHRI HARI MANJHI

Will the Minister of CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS be pleased to state:

- (a) the total production of urea in the country and the quantum of urea imported during the last three years;
- (b) whether  the import of urea has declined and if sO, the details thereof including the quantity of urea declined along with the amount of revenue saved as a result thereof;
- C whether the Government proposes to reduce the consumption of urea in the country, if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor; and
- (d) the steps taken/being taken by the Government to increase urea production including revival of closed urea manufacturing plants in the country?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF CHEMICALS & FERTILIZERS AND PARLIAMENTRY AFFAIRS (SHRI ANANTH KUMAR)

(a) to (d):

A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

STATEMENT REFERRED IN REPLY TO PART (a) to (d) OF THE LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO\_ 286* FOR REPLY ON 07.08.2018 REGARDING "PRODUCTIONIIMPORT OF UREA".

(a) & (b): The total production of urea in the country and quantum of urea imported during the last three & current and amount of revenue saved are given below: years

| Years   |   Production of Urea Figure in 'LMT') |   Urea imports (in Lakh MT) | Qty: declined compare to the last year   |   Expenditure on import of urea (in crore rupees) | Amount of revenue saved compare to last year   |
|---------|---------------------------------------|-----------------------------|------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------|
| 2015-16 |                                244.75 |                       84.74 |                                          |                                           16400   |                                                |
| 2016-17 |                                242.01 |                       54.81 | 29.93                                    |                                           11256.6 | 5143.41                                        |
| 2017-18 |                                240.23 |                       59.75 |                                          |                                            9980   | 1276.59                                        |

As per the table above, a decrease in quantity of imports of urea between 2015-16 and 2016-17 can be observed: There is a marginal increase in imports between 2016-17 and 2017-18. However; a clear cut declining trend of expenditure during last three years is discernable. Savings in subsidy out go are Rs.5143.41 crore and Rs.1276.59 crore for 2016-17 and 2017-18 respectively: the year 2017-18, subsidy saved was Rs. 1276.59 crore   despite   slight  increase in urea imports of 4.94 LMT, due to decrease in urea in global market During price

(c): The Government of India is promoting the judicious and balanced use of chemical fertilizers. The kg per hectare consumption of urea at all India level during the year 2016-17 was 140.84 kg:

The Government of India has introduced Soil Health Card (SHC) scheme under National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA) with an aim to assist all State Governments evaluate fertility in all farm holdings across the country and issue soil health cards to farmers regularly in a cycle of 2 years. The Soil Health Card provides information to the farmer on rcwient status of their soil along with recommendations on appropriate dosage on nutrients to be for improving soil health and its fertility. applied

In order to ensure balanced use of fertilizers and reduce the consumption of urea, vide notification dated 4th September; 2017 Government of India has decided to introduce 45 kg of urea replacing 50 kg bag: bag

In order to encourage the use of neem coated urea having high nutrient efficiency over plain urea, the Government of India has made it mandatory for all domestic and imported urea to be neem coated.

(d): The Government has announced New Investment Policy (NIP) 2012 on January, 2013 and its amendment on 7th October 2014 to facilitate fresh investment in Urea sector and to make India self-sufficient in the Urea sector. Under the provisions of NIP 2012 and its amendment; Chambal Fertilizers & Chemicals has   proposed to set up a Brownfield   project with capacity of 13.4 LMT at Gadepan, Rajasthan, which is likely to start commercial production in January; 2019. 2nd

To increase the production of fertilizers by Central Public Sector Enterprises(CPSEs) , Government has decided to revive 5 closed units   namely Gorakhpur; Sindri, Talcher and Ramagundam units of Fertilizer Corporation of India Limited (FCIL) and Barauni unit of Hindustan Fertilizer Corporation Limited (HFCL) through 'Nomination Route' through Joint  Ventures of nominated Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs). Each of these units are being revived by installing new Urea Plant having production capacity of 12.7 Lakh Metric Tonne Urea per annum: