Lok Sabha Question No. 127 (STARRED), answered on 2023-02-10
Subject: Import of Fertilizers
Ministry: CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS
Asked by: Francisco Cosme Sardinha, Pocha Brahmananda Reddy

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CHEMICALS & FERTILIZERS

## DEPARTMENT OF FERTILIZERS

## LOK SABHA

STARRED QUESTION NO. *127 TO BE ANSWERED ON: 10.02.2023

## Import of Fertilizers

## *127.  SHRI  COSME FRANCISCO CAITANO SARDINHA: SHRI  POCHA BRAHMANANDA REDDY:

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

- (a) the details of the types, quantum and value of fertilizers imported in the country during the last three years and the current year;
- (b) whether the Government has taken any steps to reduce and diversify import of fertilisers;
- (c) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (d) whether  the  Government  has  formulated  any  roadmap  to  address  import dependence and diversification with respect to fertilisers; and
- (e)      if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF HEALTH & FAMILY WELFARE AND CHEMICALS & FERTILIZERS

(DR. MANSUKH MANDAVIYA)

(a) to (e): A statement is laid on the table of the House.

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## STATEMENT REFERRED TO PART (a) TO (e) OF THE LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.*127 FOR 10.02.2023 REGARDING 'IMPORT OF FERTILIZERS':

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## (a): Details  of  quantum  of  fertilizers  (Urea,  DAP,  MOP  &  NPK)  imported  in  the country during the last three years and the current year(upto Jan'23) is as follow:

<Qty in LMT>

| Year                        |   Urea |   DAP |   MOP | NPK     |
|-----------------------------|--------|-------|-------|---------|
| 91.23                       |  48.7  | 36.7  |  7.46 | 2019-20 |
| 98.28                       |  48.82 | 42.27 | 13.9  | 2020-21 |
| 91.36                       |  54.62 | 24.6  | 11.7  | 2021-22 |
| 2022-23 (upto Jan'23) 73.10 |  58.8  | 17.36 | 22.49 |         |

The  value  of  imported  Urea  during  the  years  2019-20,2020-21,2021-22&  202223(upto Jan'23) is 2302.95, 2580.27, 6041.06 & 4633.31 Million US$ respectively.  All P&K fertilizers are subsidized under Nutrient Based Subsidy (NBS) Scheme and are imported  under  Open  General  License  (OGL)  by  the  companies  on  commercially viable terms.

(b) to (e):  Government has taken the following steps to address import dependence and diversification with respect to fertilizers :

-  Six new urea units have been set up under New Investment Policy. These are Panagarh urea unit of Matix Fertilizers and Chemicals Ltd. (Matix); Gadepan-III urea  unit  of  Chambal  Fertilizers  and  Chemicals  Ltd.  (CFCL);  Ramagundam urea  unit  of  Ramagundam  Fertilizers  and  Chemicals  Ltd.(RFCL);  and  3  urea units namely Gorakhpur, Sindri and Barauni of Hindustan Urvarak & Rasayan Limited (HURL). Each of the unit has the installed urea production capacity of 12.7 Lakh Metric Tonne per annum. These units have together added 76.2 LMT per annum in the existing indigenous urea production capacity of the country increasing the total urea production to 283.74 LMT. Exclusive policy for revival of Talcher unit with 12.7 LMT/ annum capacity is also notified.
-  Government  notified  New  Urea  Policy  (NUP)-2015  with  major  objective  of maximizing  indigenous  Urea  production.  This  has  resulted  in  additional  urea production of 20-25 LMT every year.

-  New DAP/NPK fertilizer Plants by Madhya Bharat Agro product Limited Unit-II, and  Krishna  Phoschem  Ltd  with  2.4  LMT  and  3.3  LMT  /  annum  are  given permission.
-  Potash  Derived  from  Molasses  (PDM)  is  included  under  the  Nutrient  Based Subsidy (NBS) scheme which is indigenously manufactured fertilizer.
-  Government  has  been promoting integrated and balanced nutrient use including bio/organic fertilizers and innovative fertilizers such as nano urea to reduce excess use of chemicals fertilizers.
-  Department  of  Fertilizers      signed  a  term  sheet  with  OQ  Trading  (Oman)  to supply  10  LMT  of  Urea  annually  for  a  period  of  3  years  (February  2022  January 2025).
-  Companies  signed  long  term  agreements  and  established  Joint  Ventures abroad  for  ensuring  adequate  supply  of  raw  materials.  Similarly,  exploration of indigenous minerals for phosphatic and potassic fertilizers is given priority.