Lok Sabha Question No. 2043 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-06
Subject: Fertilizer Production Capacity
Ministry: CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS
Asked by: Smt. Aparajita Sarangi

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

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2043 TO BE ANSWERED ON: 06.12.2024

## Fertilizer Production Capacity

## 2043 . SMT. APARAJITA SARANGI:

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

- (a) whether the Government has details of current production capacity of fertilizers in  the  country,  if  so,  the  details  thereof  alongwith  the  total  production  of fertilizers during the last three years, year-wise;
- (b) whether  the  Government  has  taken  any  steps  to  make  fertilizers  subsidy system more transparent and accessible to farmers, especially in remote areas, if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) whether  the  Government  has  taken  any  steps  to  coordinate  with  State Governments to ensure the effective distribution  of  fertilizers  during  the  peak demand season of rabi and kharif crops at the grassroot level, if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF CHEMICALS & FERTILIZERS

## ( SMT. ANUPRIYA PATEL)

(a) :  The details of the current production capacity of fertilizers in the country and the total production of fertilizers during the last three years from 2021-22 to 2023-24 are given as under:

| Production                                          | Production of all fertilizers   | Production of all fertilizers   | Production of all fertilizers   |
|-----------------------------------------------------|---------------------------------|---------------------------------|---------------------------------|
| Capacity of fertilizers as on 01/04/2024 (in 'LMT') | 2021-22                         | 2022-23                         | 2023-24                         |
| 283.77                                              | 250.72                          | 284.94                          | 314.09                          |
| 53.88                                               | 42.22                           | 43.47                           | 42.93                           |
| 123.17                                              | 89.67                           | 100.40                          | 101.85                          |

(b)  :   Government has taken various steps to make fertilizers subsidy system more transparent  and  accessible  to  farmers,  especially  in  remote  areas.Under  'DBT (Direct  Benefit  Transfer)  in  Fertilizers'  system,  100%  subsidy  on  various  fertilizer grades is released to the fertilizer companies, on actual sales to the beneficiaries based on Aadhar authentication through POS (Point of Sales) devices installed at each retail shop.  Accordingly, all farmers across the country (including farmers in backward  areas)  buying  fertilizers  from  3.42  lakh  fertilizer  retail  shops,  get  the benefit of subsidy.  Fertilizer buyers receive SMS on Aadhar linked mobile number containing  amount  of  subsidy  provided  by  the  Government  of  India  on  each purchase of subsidized fertilizers.

Besides, 'DBT in Fertilizers' created Aadhaar seeded database of beneficiaries,  made  the  transactions  visibility  at  the  end  point/retail  point  and tracking of movement of fertilizers transparent and faster along the value chain i.e. from  manufacturers  to  beneficiaries  ensuring  smooth  and  timely  availability  of fertilizers at the retail points.

(c)  :    The steps taken by the Government to coordinate with State Governments to ensure the effective distribution of fertilizers during the peak demand season of rabi and kharif crops at the grassroot level are given below:

- i. Before the commencement  of  each  cropping  season, Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare (DA&FW), in consultation with all the State Governments, assesses the state-wise & month-wise requirement of fertilizers.
- ii. On  the  basis  of  requirement  projected,  Department  of  Fertilizers  allocates sufficient/  adequate  quantities  of  fertilizers  to  States  by  issuing  monthly supply plan and continuously monitors the availability.
- iii. The movement of all major subsidized fertilizers is monitored throughout the country  by  an  on-line  web  based  monitoring  system  called  integrated Fertilizer Monitoring System (iFMS);
- iv. Regular Weekly Video Conference is conducted jointly by DA&FW and D/o Fertilizers with State Agriculture Officials and corrective actions are taken to dispatch fertilizers as indicated by the State Governments.
- v.    The  gap  between  demand  (requirement)  and  production  of  fertilizers  is  met through imports. The import for the season is also finalized well in advance to ensure timely availability.

However, distribution of fertilizers within the State at district level is the mandate of the State Government.

********