Emphasising that the nation’s farmers and annadatas have a crucial role in building a developed India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said his government is working with farmers’ interests as the top priority and that farmer-friendly schemes are being extended to all.
He highlighted that, alongside agricultural welfare initiatives, it is essential to ensure a continuous supply of fertilisers to farmers.
The PM was laying the foundation stone of the Ammonia-Urea Fertilizer Project of Assam Valley Fertilizer and Chemical Company Limited at Namrup in Dibrugarh, Assam.
Stating that today is a historic day for Assam and the entire North East, Modi remarked that the long-awaited dream of Namrup and Dibrugarh has been fulfilled, as a new chapter of industrial progress begins in the region.
He highlighted that just a short while ago, he performed the bhoomi pujan of the Ammonia–Urea Fertilizer Plant, and before arriving in Dibrugarh, inaugurated the new terminal at Guwahati Airport.
The PM noted that everyone is saying Assam has now caught a new pace of development. He emphasised that what is being witnessed today is only the beginning, and Assam must be taken much further ahead.
He recalled the strength and role Assam held during the Ahom kingdom and asserted that in a developed India, Assam will play an equally powerful role. He underlined the start of new industries, the building of modern infrastructure, semiconductor manufacturing, new opportunities in agriculture, the advancement of tea gardens and their workers, and the growing potential in tourism, affirming that Assam is progressing in every sector.
Modi extended his best wishes for the modern fertilizer plant and congratulated the people for the new terminal at Guwahati Airport. He remarked that under the BJP government at the Centre and in the state, the synergy of industry and connectivity is fulfilling Assam’s dreams and inspiring the youth to dream bigger.
Modi remarked that in the coming time, the new urea plant will guarantee this supply. He noted that around Rs 11,000 crore will be invested in the fertilizer project, which will produce more than 12 lakh metric tonnes of fertilizer annually. He underlined that with production taking place locally, supply will be faster and logistic costs will be reduced.
Modi questioned why such farmer welfare initiatives are happening only after the BJP government came to power. He noted that Namrup had long been a center of fertilizer production, and at one time the fertilizer produced here strengthened the fields of the North East and supported farmers’ crops.
He recalled that even when fertilizer supply was a challenge in many parts of the country, Namrup remained a source of hope for farmers. However, he pointed out that the technology of the old plants became outdated over time and previous governments paid no attention. As a result, several units of the Namrup plant were shut down, leaving farmers across the North East distressed, their incomes hurt, and agricultural difficulties increasing.
The PM asserted that today, the BJP governments at the Centre and in states are resolving the problems created by the previous ruling dispensation.
The PM remarked that just like in Assam, fertilizer factories in many other states had also shut down. He recalled the difficult conditions farmers faced at that time, when they had to stand in long queues for urea, police had to be deployed at shops, and farmers were subjected to lathi charges.
He stated that the opposition had worsened these conditions, while the present government is correcting them. He highlighted that during the previous ruling dispensation era fertilizer factories were closing, whereas the current government has started several plants in Gorakhpur, Sindri, Barauni, and Ramagundam. He added that the private sector is also being encouraged in this field.
The PM emphasised that as a result of these efforts, India is moving towards self-reliance in the area of urea.