NEW DELHI, 3 July 2020: Amid National level COVID-19 lockdown, government owned fertilizer companies has recorded a whopping 82.81 percent growth at 111.61 lakh metric tonnes during April-June 2020, as compared to 61.05 lakh metric tonnes recorded during same quarter last year.
During this period 64.82 lakh metric tonnes of urea (67 percent higher, as compared to last year), 22.46 lakh metric tonnes of DAP (100 percent higher than last year), and 24.32 lakh metric tonnes of COMPLEX fertilizers ( 120 percent higher than last year) were sold to farmer community.
Despite lot of movement restrictions due to National level COVID-19 lockdown, with the concerted efforts of Department of Fertilizers, Railways, State Governments and Ports, production and supply of fertilizers in the country is going on without hindrance.
This is in line with the commitment made by the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers to ensure availability of fertilizers to farmers for the upcoming Kharif season, the ministry of chemicals and fertilizer said in a statement.
Indian minister of chemicals and fertilizers, D V Sadananda Gowda has said, “We are closely monitoring the stock and availability of fertilizers to the farmers during Kharif season. State Government has been provided Sufficient stock of the Fertilizers.”
He said that his ministry is in touch with State Agriculture Ministers and government is committed to ensure availability of fertilizers to the farmer community before sowing time.
On 30 June, 73 fertilizer rakes moved from plants & ports. This is the highest movement of fertilizers in a single day. One rake carries 3000 metric tonnes of load at a time.
Government of India under Essential Commodities Act has allowed operation of fertilizers plants in the country so that agriculture sector may not feel the heat of lockdown.
As loading and unloading of fertilizers are in full swing at fertilizer plants, railway stations and ports, no compromise is made with precautions to avoid COVID-19.
Image credit: fertilizer-