NAAS brainstorming session charts roadmap for self-reliance in fertilizers
The National Academy of Agricultural Sciences held a brainstorming session on 14 April 2026 on a roadmap for Atmanirbharta in fertilizers; DARE Secretary and ICAR Director General M.L. Jat said India consumes nearly 33 million tonnes of fertilizers a year, a significant share of it imported.
Summary
The National Academy of Agricultural Sciences (NAAS) held a brainstorming session on 14 April 2026 to develop a roadmap for Atmanirbharta (self-reliance) in fertilizers, with government departments, academia, the fertilizer industry and farmers taking part. Dr. M.L. Jat, Secretary of the Department of Agricultural Research and Education, Director General of ICAR and President of NAAS, said India consumes nearly 33 million tonnes of fertilizers a year, a significant share of which is imported, so reducing import dependence is imperative. He said the challenge today is declining fertilizer use efficiency and indiscriminate application, and called for strengthening soil health initiatives, balanced need-based application, farmer awareness, and technologies such as precision nutrient management, artificial intelligence and sensor-based systems.
Key facts
- Organiser
- National Academy of Agricultural Sciences (NAAS)
- Date
- 14 April 2026
- Annual fertilizer use
- Nearly 33 million tonnes; significant share imported
- Speaker
- Dr. M.L. Jat – Secretary DARE, DG ICAR, President NAAS
- Approach
- Soil health, balanced use, farmer awareness, precision nutrient management, AI, sensors
Practice MCQs 2 questions
According to Dr. M.L. Jat at the NAAS session of April 2026, India's annual fertilizer consumption is nearly:
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Correct answer: D — 33 million tonnes
Dr. Jat said India consumes nearly 33 million tonnes of fertilizers annually, a significant share of it imported.
Consider the following statements about Dr. M.L. Jat, as described in the April 2026 PIB release: 1. He is Secretary of the Department of Agricultural Research and Education and Director General of ICAR. 2. He is President of the National Academy of Agricultural Sciences. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both statements are correct as per the Ministry of Agriculture release.