India to explore indigenous deposits of Phosphatic rock, a step towards becoming ‘AatmaNirbhar’ in Fertilizer production

New Delhi: Union Minister for Chemicals and Fertilizers and Health and Family Welfare Mansukh Mandaviya chaired a high-level meeting on July 26 to assess the situation of raw materials in the country for the manufacturing of Fertilisers.

The meeting was attended by the Minister of State for Chemicals and Fertilizers Bhagwanth Khuba along with Senior officials of the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers, Ministry of Mines, Geological Survey of India, National Remote Sensing Centre, and Mineral Exploration Corporation Limited.

While addressing the meeting, Mansukh Mandaviya mentioned that “India is committed to reduce dependency on fertilizer imports and to gain ‘AatmaNirbharta’ in all fertilizers. Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has given the clarion call of ‘AatmaNirbhar Bharat’ for all sectors. In order to achieve the goal of ‘AatmaNirbharta’ in fertilizer production, the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers is working continuously and exploring newer avenues.”

“To achieve this goal, we have to focus on scaling up production of fertilizers through indigenous raw materials. Currently, we are dependent on other countries for raw materials to produce DAP and SSP primarily. India of the 21st century needs to reduce its dependencies on imports. In order to achieve that goal, we have to explore indigenous deposits of Phosphatic rock and Potash and make it available to indigenous industries to produce DAP, SSP, NPK, and MOP to cater to the needs of Indian farmers.” He added.

It is pertinent to mention that Rock Phosphate is the key raw material for DAP and NPK fertilizers. Currently, India is 90% dependent on imports for this raw material. Volatility in international prices affects the domestic prices of fertilizers. It hinders the progress and development of the agriculture sector in the country and puts extra pressure on our farmers, he added.

Mandaviya also mentioned that “the Union Government is ready with an action plan and will begin meaningful dialogue and deliberations with the states having deposits of mineral resources used for making fertilizers.”

Mandaviya underlined the importance of commercial exploration of Phosphorite deposits. He called for taking all the necessary steps for ramping up the production in the existing 30 lakh MT of Phosphorite deposits. The Union Government has handed over fertilizer mineral resource bearing GRs to the tune of 536 million tonnes to various states. These deposits are available in Rajasthan, the central part of peninsular India, Hirapur (Madhya Pradesh), Lalitpur(Uttar Pradesh), Mussoorie syncline, Cuddapah basin (Andhra Pradesh). It was further decided that the Department of Mining and Geological Survey of India is going to expedite the exploration in the potential potassic ore resources in Rajasthan’s Satipura, Bharusari & Lakhasar and Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh and