The proposed law empowers the government to fix the maximum selling price of fertilizers and control their quality, distribution
The proposed law empowers the government to fix the maximum selling price of fertilizers and control their quality, distribution
Micro fertilizer manufacturers’ association IMMA on Saturday lauded the proposed Bill on Plant Nutrition Management to regulate the sector but also urged the government not to introduce price control mechanisms for micronutrients and specialty products.
The Indian Micro Fertilizers Manufacturers Association (IMMA) in a statement said it welcomed the draft Integrated Plant Nutrition Management (IPNM) Bill 2022, which aims to regulate the micro fertilizer sector.
IMMA said the proposed bill should aim to promote ease of doing business.
However, it urged the government to “control the prices of only those nutrients where subsidy is being provided and not to control the rates of micronutrients and special fertilisers”.
In February, the Department of Fertilizers had released the draft bill and sought comments from all stakeholders.
The proposed law empowers the government to fix maximum selling price of fertilizers and control their quality and distribution.
The Bill seeks to set up an ‘Integrated Plant Nutrition Management Authority’.
On Friday, IMMA organized the third edition of the National Crop Nutrition Summit with all stakeholders including the government, industry bodies, agri input companies, farmers and agri input dealers.
“While the move is welcome, the industry needs to initiate a constructive dialogue on this radical policy change and establish checks and balances to ensure that farmers receive quality agricultural inputs and use new-age fertilisers. accurately understand the agro-economic benefits of the scheme,” said Rahul Mirchandani, President, IMMA.
“The IPNM Bill 2022 requires separate chapters for subsidized and non-subsidised fertilisers,” said RK Teotia, director of agricultural science, Indian Fertilizer Association.
He said that the provisions to enable ease of doing business were necessary to support the industry.
Vice President Sameer Pathare said that IMMA has three core areas of work – policy advocacy with the government, knowledge and skills, and training of staff and stakeholders across India.
The participants also suggested that label claim criteria for new innovative fertilizers should be developed with a technical committee consisting of representatives of micronutrients and specialty fertilizer manufacturers.
IMMA was established in 1983 to represent the interests of manufacturers of micronutrients across the country.