Surat, May 2: At the ‘Vibrant Gujarat Regional Conference’ held in Surat on Friday, discussions highlighted the need for self-reliance in the fertilizer sector and increased investment in tourism infrastructure in the state’s tribal areas.
A national-level panel discussion on “Strategies for Achieving Self-Reliance in the Fertilizer Sector through Import Substitution” 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, engaged in the discussions. They addressed India‘s continuous 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.
Participants noted that changing global geopolitical conditions, supply chain disruptions, and fluctuations in input prices have made self-reliance in the fertilizer sector even more crucial for India’s agricultural economy.
The discussions concluded that coordinated efforts among government bodies, industry stakeholders, and research institutions are necessary to ensure a stable and affordable supply of fertilizers for farmers.
In a separate session at the same 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. Jairam Gamit, mentioned the growing potential for tourism in the tribal areas of South Gujarat, highlighting Saputara as a key tourist destination. He noted that the number of tourists visiting Saputara has increased from 113,000 in the fiscal year 2023-24 to 119,000 in 2025-26.