Surat, May 2: During the ‘Vibrant Gujarat Regional Conference’ held in Surat, discussions centered on strengthening self-reliance in the fertilizer sector and increasing investment in tourism infrastructure in the state’s tribal areas.
A national-level panel discussion on “Strategies for Achieving Self-Reliance through Import Substitution in the Fertilizer Sector” was jointly organized by the state government’s Energy and Petrochemicals Department and the VGR Conference.
Over 100 participants, including experts from the fertilizer industry, agriculture sector, academia, and policy institutions, attended the session.
Participants discussed India’s ongoing dependence on imports for key fertilizer inputs, particularly potash and phosphatic raw materials, and assessed the need to enhance domestic production capacity.
The discussions also focused on technology-based solutions and policy interventions to improve long-term sustainability in agriculture.
Experts emphasized that while India is one of the largest consumers of fertilizers globally, it still relies on external sources for several critical components.
The importance of increasing domestic production of urea, diammonium phosphate (DAP), and mixed fertilizers was highlighted, along with promoting alternatives like nano urea, bio-fertilizers, and organic inputs to reduce import dependence and production costs.
They noted that changing global geopolitical conditions, disruptions in supply chains, and fluctuations in input prices have made self-reliance in the fertilizer sector even more crucial for India’s agricultural economy.
The conclusion of the discussions underscored the need for coordinated efforts among government bodies, industry stakeholders, and research institutions to ensure a stable and affordable supply of fertilizers for farmers.
In a separate session of the conference, the state government outlined its focus on developing tourism infrastructure in tribal and rural areas, promoting eco-tourism and cultural heritage initiatives.
Addressing a seminar on tourism development, the state’s Tourism Minister Dr. Jayaram Gamit highlighted the growing potential for tourism in the tribal areas of South Gujarat, emphasizing Saputara as a key tourist destination.
He reported that the number of tourists visiting Saputara has increased from 113,000 in the fiscal year 2023-24 to 119,000 in the fiscal year 2025-26.
Deependra Singh Chundawat is a Senior Sub-Editor at Udaipur Kiran, specializing in a wide range of technology topics including mobile phones, applications, gaming, PCs, and wearables. Along with covering the latest tech news, he also creates engaging web stories. Passionate about emerging technologies, he stays up to date with the newest trends and enjoys reading and writing about the latest mobile launches and digital innovations.
