Union Minister J.P. Nadda says making farmers’ lives easier is the Centre’s top priority, stressing balanced fertiliser use and sustainable agriculture.
He was addressing a day-long Chintan Shivir organised by the Department of Fertilisers in New Delhi, which focused on promoting balanced fertiliser use, sustainable agriculture and improved soil health.
The high-level consultation brought together senior officials from the Department of Fertilisers and various state governments, along with agricultural scientists and representatives from public sector undertakings, cooperative societies and the private fertiliser industry. Union Minister of State for Chemicals and Fertilisers Anupriya Patel also participated in the deliberations.
Speaking at the event, Nadda said Prime Minister Narendra Modi has consistently placed farmers at the heart of governance. He emphasised that government policies must continue to focus on improving farmers’ livelihoods and reducing operational challenges faced at the grassroots level. he further stated that this farmer-centric approach is guiding policy formulation across departments.
Despite facing global supply disruptions and rising input costs, Nadda noted that the Department of Fertilisers ensured uninterrupted availability of fertilisers to farmers across the country. He said timely planning, coordination and policy interventions helped India achieve record fertiliser production during the year, supported by calibrated imports wherever necessary to meet demand.
Highlighting the importance of long-term sustainability, the Union Minister stressed the need for balanced fertiliser usage to protect soil health and improve agricultural productivity. He cautioned against excessive or imbalanced application of nutrients, stating that sustainable farming practices are essential to safeguard food security and farmers’ incomes in the long run.
Nadda also underlined the importance of coordinated action among various government departments to prevent diversion and misuse of fertilisers for non-agricultural purposes. He said strengthening monitoring mechanisms and promoting awareness among farmers were key to ensuring fertilisers are used efficiently and responsibly.
Union Minister of State Anupriya Patel echoed similar views, stating that Prime Minister Modi envisions India emerging as a global food basket. She said discussions held during the Chintan Shivir would play an important role in shaping policies that support sustainable agriculture and contribute towards the goal of a developed India by 2047.
Fertiliser Secretary Rajat Kumar Mishra said the Chintan Shivir was designed to be highly interactive, with farmers’ interests kept at the centre of all discussions. He noted that the collective participation of government officials, public sector units and private industry enabled constructive dialogue and actionable outcomes through collaborative brainstorming.
Held at the National Agricultural Science Complex in New Delhi, the one-day event featured 15 thematic groups that deliberated on critical issues facing the fertiliser sector. Each group presented practical recommendations aimed at strengthening the fertiliser ecosystem and improving service delivery to farmers.
The discussions covered a wide range of themes, including the development of new-age and customised fertilisers, enhancing self-sufficiency in fertiliser production, farmer outreach and awareness programmes, and the use of digital tools to improve supply chain efficiency. Other key topics included strengthening the Nutrient-Based Subsidy (NBS) framework and promoting environmentally responsible fertiliser practices.
The Union Minister, Minister of State and the Fertiliser Secretary interacted directly with each group, listening to suggestions and encouraging innovative ideas. Officials said the recommendations emerging from the Chintan Shivir would help refine policies that support sustainable agriculture, improve soil health and ensure long-term benefits for India’s farming community.
