At the Vibrant Gujarat Regional Conference (VGRC) in Surat on May 1, Gujarat charted a bold path toward fertilizer independence and tribal tourism growth. Hosted amid a flurry of policy dialogues, the event underscored the state’s dual focus on agricultural resilience and sustainable development.
A national-level panel at O.P. Jindal Global University, co-organized by the Energy and Petrochemicals Department, drew experts from fertilizers, agriculture, academia, and think tanks. They tackled India’s heavy import reliance for critical inputs like potash and phosphates, which expose farmers to international market whims.
Discussions highlighted tech-driven innovations and policy tweaks to ramp up local manufacturing of urea, DAP, and NPK blends. Advocates pushed nano-urea and bio-based options to cut import bills, lower production costs, and promote eco-friendly farming.
With supply chain shocks from global events hitting hard, self-reliance isn’t optional—it’s imperative for India’s agri-economy. The panel called for unified action across stakeholders to secure consistent fertilizer access.
Parallel tracks unveiled Gujarat’s tourism ambitions for tribal and rural belts. Minister Dr. Jayram Gamit, addressing a key seminar, touted Saputara’s surge: from 1.13 lakh tourists in 2023-24 to 1.19 lakh expected by 2025-26. Plans include eco-tourism hubs, heritage trails, and infrastructure upgrades to empower local tribes and draw global visitors.
