Odisha, Mar 7: Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah on Friday dedicated the newly commissioned Sulphuric Acid Plant-3 (SAP-III) at the Indian Farmers Fertiliser Cooperative Limited (IFFCO) unit in Paradeep, Odisha, marking a major step towards strengthening India’s fertiliser infrastructure.
Built at an estimated cost of around ₹700 crore, the new plant has a production capacity of nearly 2,000 metric tonnes per day and is expected to significantly enhance the operational capability of the Paradeep complex, one of the country’s largest integrated phosphatic fertiliser production facilities.
Addressing the gathering, Shah said the expansion of fertiliser infrastructure will help ensure the timely availability of agricultural inputs to farmers and improve productivity in the agriculture sector. He noted that IFFCO’s cooperative model benefits nearly five crore farmers across India.
“Whatever IFFCO earns benefits nearly five crore farmers of the country, and this is its biggest strength,” Shah said, highlighting the role of cooperatives in empowering rural communities.
He also pointed out that IFFCO purchased the Paradeep unit in 2005 for ₹2,577 crore, when its production capacity was 7.5 lakh metric tonnes, which has now increased to about 22 lakh metric tonnes.
The minister added that initiatives such as Nano Urea, Nano DAP and the PM-PRANAM scheme are helping reduce the excessive use of chemical fertilisers and protect soil health.
The event was attended by Mohan Charan Majhi, Chief Minister of Odisha, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, IFFCO Chairman Dilip Sanghani and IFFCO Managing Director KJ Patel, along with MPs, state ministers and senior officials.
Majhi said the commissioning of the new plant would accelerate industrial development in Odisha and create employment opportunities, while Pradhan noted that expanding fertiliser production capacity would help ensure steady supplies to farmers and support agricultural growth.
Officials said the new facility, built with advanced and environmentally efficient technology, will strengthen the fertiliser supply chain and contribute to the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat by boosting domestic fertiliser production.
