138 Agriculture Students Gain Fertiliser Sector Insights at SGT University Programme

FAI Director General Dr. Suresh Kumar Chaudhari highlighted soil health, fertiliser alternatives and agriculture careers, while Prof. B.J. Rao linked fertiliser security with India’s food security

The Fertiliser Association of India, Northern Region, collaborated with the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences at SGT University, Gurugram, to organise a Fertiliser Orientation Program for final and pre final year agriculture students.
A total of 138 students participated in the programme, which was inaugurated by Prof. B.J. Rao, Pro Chancellor, SGT University.
Addressing the students, Prof. Rao highlighted the connection between fertiliser security and food security. He spoke about the importance of understanding plant physiology and nutrient absorption, along with the role fertilisers play in improving agricultural productivity.
He also expressed confidence that such programmes can help students remain informed about developments in agricultural science and the fertiliser sector.

Dr. Suresh Kumar Chaudhari, Director General, FAI, delivered the keynote address and drew attention to the limitations surrounding further expansion of India’s cultivated land.
“India’s net cultivated area stands at around 140 million hectares and there is limited scope to expand it further. The only path to higher agricultural production is through better yields and that requires moving beyond traditional fertilisers toward organic, bio, nano, fortified, and customised alternatives,” he said.
Dr. Chaudhari also discussed India’s dependence on imports for fertiliser raw materials and finished products. He noted that cooperation between the fertiliser industry and the government has helped maintain fertiliser availability for farmers despite recent geopolitical disruptions.

Career opportunities in agriculture were another focus of his address. Dr. Chaudhari told students that the sector offers significant employment opportunities that remain underutilised by graduates and encouraged them to explore these possibilities.
The programme included seven presentations delivered by resource persons from the fertiliser sector and CFQC&TI, Faridabad.
A quiz competition was also conducted during the programme, with three students receiving FAI publications in recognition of their performance.
Dr. Pooja Pant, Dean, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, and Dr. R.K. Yadav, Professor, NRM, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, SGT University, also addressed the participants.
Through the orientation programme, students received exposure to the fertiliser industry alongside discussions covering agricultural productivity, fertiliser use, emerging alternatives and career opportunities within the agriculture sector.

ABOUT THE FERTILISER ASSOCIATION OF INDIA
The Fertiliser Association of India was established in 1955 as a non profit organisation representing stakeholders across India’s fertiliser sector.
Its members and stakeholders include fertiliser manufacturers, importers, technology providers, equipment suppliers and researchers.
FAI works on operational efficiency within the fertiliser sector and promotes balanced and scientific fertilisation. It also facilitates interaction between industry and government and provides policy inputs.
Through four regional offices, technical divisions, training programmes, specialised studies and international collaborations, the association works across areas including fertiliser production, distribution, sustainability and fertiliser use efficiency.
FAI also publishes journals and research material covering the fertiliser sector and related policy and industry developments.

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