(a) whether it is a fact that there is a wide gap in the availability and requirement of fertilizers to the farmers in the country for the kharif season;
(b) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor;
(c) whether farmers are required to pay 20% more for fertilizers at present;
(d) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor; and
(e) the steps taken/being taken by the Government in this regard?
MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE MINISTRY OF PLANNING AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF CHEMICALS & FERTILIZERS
(RAO INDERJIT SINGH)
(a) & (b): Madam, the projected requirement, availability & sales of fertilizers [Urea and P&K(DAP, MOP & NPK)] in the country for the Kharif season’18 (from April’18 to June’18) is
Cumulative requirement and availability of fertilizers Kharif’ 18 (upto June’18)
<figures in Lakh MT>
Year Requirement Availability Sales
2018-19 (upto June’18) 120.51 149.13 109.46
It can be seen from the tables above that there is no shortage of any fertilizer as availability is more than the sales.
(c) & (d): Government of India has declared fertilizer as an essential commodity under the Essential Commodities Act, 1955(ECA) and notified Fertilizer (Control) Order (FCO), 1985 & Fertilizer (Movement Control) Order, 1973 under the EC Act. State Governments have been adequately empowered to ensure selling of fertilizers at MRP. There is no report from States regarding farmers paying 20% more for fertilizers.
(e): Following steps are being taken by the Government to ensure timely supply of Urea and other fertilizers to the farmers across the country:
Before the commencement of each cropping season, Department of Agriculture, Cooperation and Farmers Welfare (DAC&FW), in consultation with all the State Governments, assesses the requirement of fertilizers. After assessment of requirement, DAC&FW projects month-wise requirement of fertilizers.
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. Thus, Department of Fertilizers ensures adequate availability of fertilizers to the farmers. However, distribution within the State is the responsibility of the concerned State Government. The availability of fertilizers is adequate in the country.
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