Context:
The central government plans to privatize smaller state-owned fertilizer companies in FY26. This follows previous attempts to privatize larger agrochemical firms, which faced resistance. The decision will depend on market conditions and consensus among stakeholders.
Background of Previous Divestment Plans
Earlier Divestment Attempts:
- In 2022, Niti Aayog shortlisted eight fertilizer companies for privatization, but the plan was shelved in 2023.
- The government chose to focus on strengthening domestic production and achieving self-sufficiency in fertilizer production instead of pursuing large-scale privatization.
Fertilizer Companies to be Privatized
- Brahmaputra Valley Fertilizer Corp. Ltd
- The Fertilizers and Chemicals Travancore Ltd
- FCI Aravali Gypsum and Minerals India Ltd
- Madras Fertilizers Ltd
- National Fertilizers Ltd
- Rashtriya Chemicals & Fertilizers Ltd
- The Fertilizer Corp. of India Ltd
- Hindustan Fertilizer Corp. Ltd
Privatization Reasons and Concerns
Prospects of Privatization
- Increased Funds
- Privatization could raise funds to address food security issues and help reduce the fertilizer import bill.
- The government is now focusing on smaller firms for privatization, as attempts to privatize larger units failed previously.
Concerns of Privatization
- Efficiency vs Accessibility
- While privatization may bring greater efficiency to the fertilizer industry, there are concerns about price volatility and reduced accessibility for farmers.
- Farmers rely on affordable fertilizers to maintain food security, so privatization could potentially increase the cost of fertilizers for them.
- Balancing Approach
- Experts suggest a more cautious approach that combines strategic reforms, technological upgrades, and better management of fertilizer PSUs without full privatization. This would help maintain government control over a critical sector.
Government’s Role in Subsidy
- Reduction in Fertilizer Subsidy
- The federal fertilizer subsidy has decreased to ₹1.64 trillion in FY25, down from ₹1.88 trillion in FY24.
- Subsidies play a crucial role in keeping fertilizer prices affordable for farmers, which in turn supports agricultural productivity and food security.
Fertilizer Industry Impact and Import Bill Reduction
- Self-Sufficiency in Urea Production
- India aims to achieve complete urea self-sufficiency by FY26 by reviving domestic fertilizer units.
- Urea imports have already reduced: from 7.57 million tonnes in FY23 to 7.04 million tonnes in FY24.
- Revival of Fertilizer Units
- Key fertilizer plants like Ramagundam, Gorakhpur, Sindri, Talcher, and Barauni are being revived to boost urea production.
- These plants are being upgraded through joint ventures to establish new ammonia-urea plants with a production capacity of 1.27 million metric tonnes per annum.
Source: Mint
