NEW DELHI: Mansukh Mandaviya, the Union Minister of Chemicals and Fertilizers, stated on Tuesday that there is an ample stock of fertilizers available in the nation for the ongoing kharif (summer cultivation) season. He called upon the states to prevent the misuse of urea for industrial purposes. The minister engaged in a dialogue with state agriculture ministers to discuss the availability and utilization of fertilizers across the country.

Within the meeting, the progress of nano urea, nano DAP, and the promotion of alternative fertilizers at the grassroots level were also evaluated. The ministry, in a released statement, detailed the actions undertaken by states in this context. Mandaviya communicated to all states that there exists an adequate supply of fertilizers in the country, with the current stock levels reaching 150 lakh tonnes. He emphasized that this inventory would not only cater to the ongoing Kharif season but also ensure a favorable outset for the upcoming Rabi (winter-sown) season.

Mandaviya underlined the necessity of curbing the excessive application of chemical fertilizers to protect soil health. He underscored that the central government had already taken strides, such as implementing the PM PRANAM scheme, and introducing innovations like slow-release sulphur-coated urea (Urea Gold), nano urea, and nano DAP, all aimed at encouraging the adoption of alternative fertilizers to safeguard the environment.

The state governments expressed their eagerness to actively partake in this commitment, as per the official statement. The discussion encompassed the Prime Minister Krishi Sinchai Yojana (PMKSY) initiative, which functions as a comprehensive resource for farmers' needs. Mandaviya called upon state agriculture ministers and government officials to regularly visit these centers and disseminate awareness among farmers.

"The Minister earnestly urged States/Union Territories to remain vigilant against the diversion of agricultural-grade urea for non-agricultural purposes," the statement indicated. He further appealed to the States/UTs to initiate awareness campaigns to mitigate the potential diversion of agricultural urea and take stringent actions against violators. The statement highlighted that based on joint inspections conducted by the Fertilizer Flying Squad of the Central Government and various State Agriculture Departments, 45 First Information Reports (FIRs) were filed against entities involved in unauthorized urea usage. Additionally, licenses of 32 blending units were revoked, and 79 such units were de-authorized, with strict actions undertaken under the Essential Commodities Act & Prevention of Black Marketing Act.

The sentiment of zero tolerance towards such wrongdoings was also echoed by state governments. The meeting concluded with a unanimous agreement between the central and state bodies to collaborate on necessary measures aimed at promoting the adoption of alternative fertilizers and curbing excessive reliance on chemical counterparts. State agriculture ministers from different states, senior officers from state governments, and officials from the Department of Fertilizers & Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare participated in the proceedings.

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