New Delhi: The Indian Farmers Fertiliser Cooperative Limited (IFFCO), world’s largest fertiliser cooperative today announced the introduction of its ‘Nano-technology’ based product range by introducing Nano Nitrogen, Nano Zinc, Nano Copper for on-field trials at an event held at its mother unit in Kalol, Gujarat. These Nano products were launched for field trials by Sh. Sadananda Gowda, Union Minister of Chemicals & Fertilizers; Sh. Mansukh Mandaviya, Union Minister of State for Shipping (Independent Charge) and Chemicals & Fertilizers; Sh. Parshottam Rupala, Union Minister of State, Agriculture, & Farmers welfare & Panchayati Raj; Sh. Nitin Patel, Deputy Chief Minister, Gujarat; Sh. Jayesh Radadiya, Minister of Food, Civil Supply and Consumer Affairs, Cottage Industries, Printing & Stationary, Govt. of Gujarat ; Sh. B S Nakai, Chairman, IFFCO; Sh. Dileep Sanghani, Vice Chairman, IFFCO and Dr. U S Awasthi, MD, IFFCO and other dignitaries.
IFFCO also invited progressive farmers (34 in total) from each and every state of India including Padmashri awardee farmers for the event in order to introduce them to the new nano products and start simultaneous field trials of these products across India. These products have been researched and developed indigenously at the IFFCO Nano Biotechnology Research Centre (NBRC), an advanced research and development centre based at Kalol Unit.
These nanostructured formulations effectively deliver nutrients to the plants.
Other benefits of these Nano-products include: – • Reduction in the requirement of conventional chemical fertilizer by 50%.• Upto 15-30% increase in crop production• Improvement in soil health• Reduction in the emission of greenhouse gases• Environment friendly
Speaking at the event in the introductory speech Dr. U.S Awasthi, MD, IFFCO apprised the audience about the development and said,” In the first phase of the launch these products will be tested on farms under controlled conditions with support from ICAR/KVK. For this phase IFFCO has introduced three types of the nano-products.
The first is IFFCO NANO NITROGEN which is developed as an alternative to Urea. If used properly, this product has the potential to cut the requirement of Urea by 50%. The second is IFFCO NANO ZINC which is developed as an alternative to the currently used Zinc fertilisers. Only 10 gm of this product would be sufficient for a hectare of land and would bring the requirement of NPK fertilizer down by 50%. The third product is IFFCO NANO COPPER which provides both nutrition and protection to the plant. It boosts the plants immunity against harmful pathogens and helps increase the activity of plant growth hormone and improves overall plant growth and development.”
Speaking at the event, Sh. Sadananda Gowda, Union Minister of Chemicals & Fertilizers praised IFFCO for its efforts and said “ This step will certainly complement to the vision of our Hon’ble PM Shri Narendra Modiji for doubling the farmer’s income by 2022.”. He went on to congratulate Shri B S Nakai, Chairman IFFCO and Dr U S Awasthi, MD IFFCO and his entire team for continuing the research and development in this field and taking the lead in announcing such nano products for the first time in India. He also said “IFFCO has established a world class laboratory at Kalol, Gujarat and these 3 products will help the soil, farmer and the environment and also lead to reduction in input cost. He went on to praise IFFCO for its efforts and said that, “There are many other things which Govt. of India is doing to benefit of our farmers. We have successfully implement the DBT in fertilisers, introduced neem-coated urea and the use of POS machines for sales of fertilisers to ensure the reach of the fertilisers to every farmer. I am glad to say that IFFCO has taken a lead in all these initiatives of the Government.” He added that, “ Though this is a trial for the nano products but I am confident that they will prove their mettle and I hope the farmers of India will start using these products soon.”
As we know that the focus of Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has been on gaon, gareeb and kisan in order to achieve the target of USD 5 trillion economy. He is constantly worrying about increasing the productivity of farmers. And every part of the government works in this direction.” On the same lines, IFFCO is working with the Govt. of India on all three fronts and with the launch of these products IFFCO has taken one giant step towards improvement of Indian Agriculture. It will help the farmers save money, water and time”.
Sh. Mansukh Mandaviya, Union Minister of State for Shipping (Independent Charge) and Chemicals & Fertilizers, who was also present at the event said that, “ Due to resource constraints and low use efficiency of fertilizers, the cost to the farmer is increasing dramatically. Nanotechnology offers a great potential to tailor fertilizer production with the desired chemical composition, improve the nutrient use efficiency that reduces environmental impact and boosts the plant productivity. It’s the technology of the future and I praise IFFCO for embracing the future in fertilisers and bringing it closer to the Indian farmers. “
Speaking at the event Sh. Parshottam Rupala, Union Minister of State, Agriculture & Farmers welfare said, “ Green revolution 2.0 can only be achieved through the application of modern technology in Indian Agriculture. The Govt. of India has introduced several schemes in bringing the benefits of modern technology closer to the Indian farmers. I am happy that IFFCO is also committed towards working with the Govt. of India in making this possible and introduction of these smart, advanced fertilisers is a step in this direction. I congratulate IFFCO in taking the first step towards making smart, environment friendly agri products.” Also present at the event was Sh. Nitin Patel, Deputy Chief Minister, Gujarat who said, “The Kalol unit was a pioneer in the field of fertilisers when it was established in 1967 here in Gujarat. I am happy to see that after more than 50 years it has continued to be a pioneer in the field of fertilisers by establishing this highly sophisticated IFFCO Nano Biotechnology Research Centre (NBRC) and developing these next generation nano-fertilisers here at the Kalol unit. It’s a gift to the Indian farmers from Gujarat and IFFCO. I am sure that these will benefit the farmers of Gujarat and of India immensely.”
Sh. Jayesh Radadiya, Minister of Food, Civil Supply and Consumer Affairs, Cottage Industries, Printing & Stationary, Govt. of Gujarat and Director, IFFCO said, “ IFFCO always thinks for the benefit of the farmers and leaves no stone unturned in getting the best produce to the Indian farmers. The nano-product range is a case in point and I would like to congratulate Chiram, IFFCO , Dr. Awasthi and the entire IFFCO team for this achievement.”
Post the introduction of the initial range of Nano products, IFFCO aims to introduce newer products in its Nano-product range. Apart from single nutrients it’s NBRC lab is also in the process of developing several nutrient combinations as well in the future.
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