Sustainable fertilizers are the future : Amit Gupta, CEO, Agrifields

Exclusive interview of Mr Amit Gupta, CEO & Promoter of Agrifelds, DMCC, Dubai with News Chronicle

News Chronicle. As a leading player in the fertilizer industry, what initiatives is Agrifields taking to promote sustainable fertilizer practices among Indian farmers, and how do you see this impacting the environment and farm productivity?

Amit Gupta. We have always been an early starter, looking at various new options to meet the nutrient demand of various crops that would provide food security. Sustainable fertiliser practices probably are  the current trend in  crop nutrition but our  usp has always revolved around maximisation of available resources. Out of the many nutrients demanded by crops , it is well known that phosphorus is the essence of life and such resources are precious and demanding. We are working on innovation in technology to improve conversion of low grade rock phosphates.

It is also not out of place to mention that in conventional areas of manufacture involving nitrogen alternate nutrients were tried and used thereby reducing the impact of high prices i.e of ammonia. more crop per drop and introduction of water soluble fertilisers enabled the company to emerge as one of the most dependable supplier of water soluble fertilisers. Seaweed extract formulations supplying  valuable nutrients paved the way for the industry to look at nutrients from oceans. Important trace elements were also experimented with magnesium nitrate, that would supply nitrogen and magnesium. The alternative to calcium nitrate  is magnesium nitrate and efforts are underway to introduce magnesium nitrate.

News Chronicle. There is a growing trend towards organic and bio-fertilizers in India. How is Agrifields responding to this trend, and what products or solutions do you offer to support sustainable agriculture practices?

Amit Gupta. Organic fertilisers have always been around from time immemorial. International companies have helped the introduction of compost , phosphate rich organic manure (PROM), potash derived from molasses, vermi compost, nutrients embellished bio char, organic cakes of castor, neem, pongamia, sea weed extract granules and concentrates. These products including panchagavya are in a growth phase, reducing the continued usage of chemical inorganic fertilisers.

Government of india is rightly promoting usage of organic fertilizers and bio stimulant products. We are able to source good quality humic acid and fulvic acid and also use nitrification inhibitors that reduce the usage of nitrogen from urea. Infact one of the products supplying good quality nitrogen with sustainability is being introduced across India for the indian farmers to benefit.

News Chronicle. Soil degradation is a significant concern in Indian agriculture. What role do you think fertilizers play in maintaining soil health, and how can farmers balance fertilizer use with soil conservation practices?

Amit Gupta. Soils in india are undergoing severe depletion and are becoming lifeless. The loss of soil organic carbon has been brought to the notice of the government and we have suggested intensive usage of compost , manures, animal waste and organic carbon etc to increase the soil organic carbon levels from 0.24 to at least 1 so that the fertiliser use efficiency is multiplied and usage of chemical fertilisers is checked.

Government of india introduced subsidy for marketing and utilisation of soil organic carbon and increase usage of compost. New proposals are being evaluated to involve the indian farmer use compost intensively. Organic agriculture ie using natural products, extracts , PROM , compost are also being encouraged by us with the government support. Soil structure improvement  is also being taken up across India through the use of green manure seeds given free, improving ph through usage of gypsum and lime.

News Chronicle. Water scarcity is a critical issue in Indian agriculture. How can sustainable fertilizer practices and precision agriculture techniques help optimize water use and reduce waste?

Amit Gupta. Water usage and colossal wastage is a worrying factor and more than 80 percent of total available  water is used in agriculture with the balance going for human and industrial usage. Forecasting this problem, our company is promoting drip , and sprinkler irrigation. Fertigation which is practised all over the world is also intensively promoted using water soluble fertilisers. Water holding capacity is enhanced by continued usage of compost , as well as biochar , peat etc. addition foliar spray of water soluble fertilisers is promoted on a large scale using 1 kg and 2 kg packs , that are recommended for horticultural and olericulture. Trials also have completed for introducing special absorbent polymers that absorb available water several times and release the same as and when the plants need water. This would protect the orchards, field crops from water stress which is a world problem.

News Chronicle. The Indian government has launched several initiatives to promote sustainable agriculture practices. How do you think policy support and government initiatives can encourage the adoption of sustainable fertilizers and agricultural practices?

Amit Gupta. Governments efforts for sustainable fertiliser use is ongoing by supplying good quality fertilisers at affordable prices. The current world situation ie war between Ukraine and Russia as well as between Israel and Palestine have put enormous pressure on availability of good quality fertilisers.

Disturbances in the Suez Canal and Red Sea have seriously disrupted the supply chains and the fertiliser industry is reeling under severe losses. Governments are doing their best to balance availability and prices, but are unable to sustain the costs thereby leading to losses to the industry. Tariff wars and availability are some of the strategies being used by countries to enhance their economic superiority and geophysical limits. Droughts and floods are impacting the livelihood of the farmer leaving them in deep debt. All these factors need to return to normal condition so that efforts of the government yield results.

News Chronicle. Raising awareness among farmers about sustainable fertilizer practices and agricultural techniques is crucial. What initiatives is Agrifields taking to educate farmers and promote best practices in sustainable agriculture?

Amit Gupta. The efforts of the company to tide over the current situation is to advise the concerned authorities about the availability of raw materials inputs, intermediates, and finished fertilisers like NPK , and critical water soluble fertilisers like calcium nitrate , potassium nitrate etc. Programmed shut down of factories also has to be taken into account to propose possible stock pile up or shortages and plan imports well in time. This would benefit the government, the industry and ultimately the indian farmer. A think tank of experienced industry experts must be created and they should be consulted on all matters of availability , possible shortages, escalation in prices etc. This think tank will help sustainable fertiliser availability and usage.

News Chronicle. How is Agrifields investing in research and development to create innovative, sustainable fertilizer solutions that address the unique challenges faced by Indian farmers, and what new products or technologies can we expect from Agrifields in the near future?

Amit Gupta. The company from time to time conducts farmer panel meetings across the country and gives the direction on monsoon, spatial spread of rain, stocks of essential fertilisers, crop acrage, prices of commodities, new technologies, new products, package of practices, soil testing, water quality analysis , micronutrient analysis, and soil organic carbon analysis. Suggestion on what crop should be grown considering the current national situation, use of common facilities of mechanisation in line with international best practices.

Ultimately, the farmer must be made to INSURE his crop and the premium needs to be paid either partially by the farmer and the industry/government. Agriculture is now being transformed into a business and not into an occupation of the jobless individual called the farmer which was the case in the past.