**Executive Summary**
The Department of Fertilizers conducted a virtual interaction with agriculture graduates from HURL and RCF on February 18, 2026. The aim was to address soil degradation, promote balanced fertilizer use, and incorporate grassroots feedback into policy implementation. This initiative seeks to strengthen participatory governance and ensure long-term agricultural sustainability.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Purpose and Scope:**
* The Department of Fertilizers is addressing soil degradation through participatory governance.
* The interaction focused on the adverse impacts of excessive urea use on soil health.
* It aims to promote balanced fertilization practices and integrated nutrient management.
* The Department seeks to translate national objectives on balanced fertilizer use into action.
* **Secretary's Engagement:**
* The Secretary (Fertilizers) interacted with nearly 100 agriculture graduates from HURL and RCF via video conference.
* The Secretary emphasized the importance of youth engagement in India's agricultural transformation.
* The Secretary highlighted the need to prevent soil damage and protect farmers' interests.
* **Focus Areas:**
* The session addressed the physical degradation of soil, including increasing hardness and decreasing carbon content.
* Graduates were encouraged to document success stories of farmers shifting to organic farming.
* Promotion of compost and green manure use was discussed.
* **Policy Implementation:**
* The initiative seeks to incorporate practical feedback, field experiences, and innovative suggestions into policy implementation.
* The Secretary suggested scaling sustainable practices with Lakhpati Didis, self-help groups, and community organizations.
* The Department reaffirmed its commitment to scientific nutrient management and safeguarding soil fertility.
* **Field Experiments:**
* Specific field experiments demonstrating the benefits of balanced phosphate use were discussed.
**Impact Analysis**
**Stakeholder: Agriculture Graduates from HURL and RCF**
* **Impact:**
* Their feedback and field experiences are being incorporated into policy formulation.
* They are serving as a communication link between companies, farmers, and the government.
* They are encouraged to document success stories.
* **Action Required:**
* Provide practical feedback and innovative suggestions for policy implementation.
* Promote the use of compost and green manure.
* Document success stories of farmers shifting to organic farming.
**Stakeholder: Farmers**
* **Impact:**
* Better soil management practices leading to increased yields and long-term sustainability.
* Soil protection and awareness.
* **Action Required:**
* Implement balanced fertilization practices.
* Adopt organic farming methods.
**Stakeholder: Department of Fertilizers**
* **Impact:**
* Improved policy implementation through incorporation of grassroots feedback.
* Strengthened participatory governance and promotion of sustainable agriculture.
* Helps in safeguarding soil fertility for future generations.
* **Action Required:**
* Incorporate feedback from agriculture graduates.
* Promote awareness and adoption of balanced fertilization practices.
* Scale sustainable practices with Lakhpati Didis, self-help groups, and community organizations.
Key Entities Referenced
Department of Fertilizers: The central government department responsible for policies related to fertilizer production, distribution, and usage in India, aiming to promote balanced fertilizer use and sustainable agriculture.
Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers: The government ministry overseeing the Department of Fertilizers and responsible for the overall policy framework related to chemicals and fertilizers in India.
Hindustan Urvarak & Rasayan Limited (HURL): A public sector company in the fertilizer sector that participated in the discussions.
Rashtriya Chemicals and Fertilizers Limited (RCF): A public sector company in the fertilizer sector that participated in the discussions.
Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers :
Department of Fertilizers
Youth Voices Sought for a Better Fertilizer Sector
Department of Fertilizers Seeks Youth Perspectives to
promote balanced use of fertilizers
Youth Voices Support Government’s Vision for Balanced and
Responsible Fertilizer Use
Secretary, Fertilizers Interacts with Agriculture Graduates via
Video Conference
Posted On: 18 FEB 2026 6:31PM by PIB Delhi
In a significant step towards strengthening participatory governance and promoting sustainable
agriculture, the Department of Fertilizers has intensified its efforts to address the growing challenge of soil
degradation across the country. Shri Rajat Kumar Mishra, Secretary (Fertilizers), today conducted a
detailed virtual interaction with nearly 100 Agriculture Graduates from different parts of the country,
currently serving in Hindustan Urvarak & Rasayan Limited (HURL) and Rashtriya Chemicals and
Fertilizers Limited (RCF).
The interaction focused on addressing the adverse impact of excessive and imbalanced use of urea, which
has contributed to critical nutrient deficiencies, declining soil carbon levels, and overall deterioration of
soil health in several regions. The Secretary emphasized the urgent need to promote balanced fertilization
practices, encourage integrated nutrient management, and strengthen awareness at the grassroots level to
restore soil vitality and ensure long-term agricultural sustainability.By directly engaging with these young agricultural professionals—who are closely connected with
farmers and field-level operations—the Department seeks to bridge the gap between policy formulation
and ground realities. The initiative aims to incorporate practical feedback, field experiences, and
innovative suggestions into policy implementation, thereby ensuring that national objectives on balanced
fertilizer use are effectively translated into action at the farm level.
Addressing the participants, the Secretary emphasized that youth engagement is crucial for India’s
agricultural transformation. He noted that while the government ensures the availability of fertilizers, the
focus must shift to preventing soil damage caused by excessive use. "We are taking feedback day and
night," the Secretary stated, acknowledging that these young professionals serve as a vital communication
link between companies, farmers, and the government. He shared that meaningful discussions have also
been held with eight Padma Shri awardees to further this mission. Highlighting the Prime Minister’s
vision that "farmers are our VIPs," the Secretary stressed that protecting their interests through awareness
and soil protection is a top priority.
The session also addressed the physical degradation of soil, specifically the increasing hardness and
decreasing carbon content resulting from chemical over-dependence. The Secretary encouraged graduates
to document success stories of farmers shifting to organic farming and to promote the use of compost and
green manure. He noted that while resources like vermicompost are available through various schemes, a
lack of information often hinders adoption. The Secretary suggested that these sustainable practices could
be scaled in collaboration with Lakhpati Didis, self-help groups, and community organizations.Specific field experiments were also discussed, such as those conducted by Awadhesh Singh in Gorakhpur,
which demonstrated that balanced phosphate use leads to increased yields and better soil structure. The
session, also attended by the Additional Secretary and Joint Secretary, CMD and MD from HURL and
RCF concluded with a reaffirmation of the Department’s commitment to scientific nutrient management.
By incorporating grassroots feedback into policy, the Department of Fertilizers aims to safeguard soil
fertility for future generations while ensuring the prosperity of the Indian farmer.
****
Neeraj Kumar Bhatt/ Shatrughna Prasad
cmc.fertilizers[at]gmail[dot]com
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