(a) whether the Government has received complaints from various State Governments regarding unavailability of fertilizers to the farmers as per their requirement;
(b) if so, the details thereof and the action taken thereon; and
(c) the steps taken/being taken by the Government to ensure undisrupted supply of fertilizers to the farmers?
MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR THE MINISTRY OF PLANNING AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS
(RAO INDERJIT SINGH)
(a): No Madam, the
re is no report of unavailability of fertilizers to the farmers from any State Government. It is pertinent to mention that Department of Agriculture Cooperation & Farmers Welfare (DAC&FW) in consultation with States/ UTs assesses the requirement of all subsidized fertilizers before the start of each Season. Department of Fertilizers ensures availability of fertilizers at the State level and the distribution within the State is the responsibility of the respective State Government. During the current year, the requirement, availability and sales (estimated) of fertilizers during 2017-18 (as on 07.03.2018) are as follows:
Requirement, Availability & estimated sales of Fertilizers during 2017-18(As on 07.03.2018)
Urea DAP MOP NPK
All India Requirement Availability Sales Requiremen Availability Sales Requiremen Availability Sales Requiremen Availability Sales
Total 298.52 293.66 285.22 97.39 88.23 83.26 33.90 32.78 30.32 98.19 92.87 81.67
It can be seen from the above table fertilizer in adequate quantity is available across the country against the sales.
(b): In view of the above, question does not arise.
(c): Following steps are being taken by the Government to ensure undisrupted supply of fertilizers to the farmers:
On the basis of month-wise & state-wise projection given by DAC&FW, Department of Fertilizers allocates sufficient/ adequate quantities of fertilizers to States by issuing monthly supply plan and continuously monitors the availability through following system:
(i) The movement of all major subsidized fertilizers is being monitored throughout the country by an on-line web based monitoring system called integrated Fertilizer Monitoring System (iFMS);
(ii) The State Governments are regularly advised to coordinate with manufacturers and importers of fertilizers for streamlining the supplies through timely placement of indents for railway rakes through their state institutional agencies like Markfed etc.
(iii) Regular Weekly Video Conference is conducted jointly by Department of Agriculture & Cooperation and Farmers Welfare (DAC&FW), Department of Fertilizers (DoF), and Ministry of Railways with State Agriculture Officials and corrective actions are taken to dispatch fertilizer as indicated by the State Governments.
(iv) The gap between demand (requirement) and production is met through imports. The import for the season is also finalised well in advance to ensure timely availability.
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