SOMS 2026 Wraps Up in Gandhinagar with Focus on Self-Reliance
The 4th edition of the Specialty Fertilizer Summit & B2B Expo (SOMS 2026), organized by the Soluble Fertilizer Industry Association (SFIA), concluded successfully at Gift City Club, Gandhinagar, Gujarat. The three-day summit brought together specialty fertilizer manufacturers, industry leaders, scientists, researchers, startups, agri-input companies, and stakeholders from across India to discuss the future roadmap of the sector.
Held under the theme "The Foundation of a Self-Reliant India," SOMS 2026 emphasized strengthening domestic manufacturing capabilities, promoting innovation, reducing import dependency, and developing sustainable solutions for Indian agriculture.
Key Insights from Industry Leaders
Mr. Rajib Chakraborty, President of SFIA, stated that India's specialty fertilizer sector holds immense potential to contribute to subsidy reduction, sustainable agriculture, and nutrition security. He noted that SOMS 2026 provided a platform for manufacturers, researchers, and industry experts to foster linkages between academia and industry for import substitution. He stressed that industry-guided research, rather than purely academic research, is essential for achieving the 2047 vision of a self-reliant India.
Panel Discussions and Knowledge Exchange
The summit featured several important panel discussions. The session "Linking Practices in Fertilizer Distribution: Opportunity, Challenge or Necessity" was moderated by Ms. Laxmi Devi Aere, Senior Assistant Editor at Press Trust of India (PTI), and focused on challenges, opportunities, and future approaches in fertilizer distribution.
Another session, "Fertilizer Start-ups & Innovation for Self-Reliance: Reality or Gimmick?", moderated by Mr. Ashish Pandey, Special Correspondent at The Economic Times, explored the role of startups, technology adoption, and innovation in transforming the fertilizer industry.
The panel "United for Growth: Past, Present & Future of Specialty Fertilizer Policy - Industry Perspective," moderated by Mr. Subramani Ra Mancombu of The Hindu Business Line, highlighted industry perspectives on policy reforms, regulatory challenges, and future growth opportunities.
SOMS Thesis Showdown and Agri Journalism Awards
A major highlight was the SOMS Thesis Showdown, where students and young researchers presented innovative ideas and research-based solutions related to agriculture and specialty fertilizers. Dr. Pranjib Chakrabarty emphasized that collaboration between research institutions and industry is vital for bringing new technologies to farmers and building a sustainable agriculture ecosystem.
The summit also recognized agricultural journalists through the SOMS Agri Journalism Awards 2026. In the Marathi (Print & Digital) category, Mandar Madhusudan Mundale was declared the winner. In the Hindi (Broadcast & YouTube) category, Arvind Shukla from News Potli received the award, while in Hindi (Print & Digital), Jitender Boora from Dainik Bhaskar was announced as the winner. Senior journalists and media professionals, including Subramani Ra Mancombu (The Hindu Business Line), Ms. Laxmi Devi Aere (PTI), Shambhavi Anand (The Economic Times), and Suchetana Choudhury (Agro Spectrum), received special recognition awards for their contributions to agriculture journalism and farmer education.
B2B Expo Draws Over 2,000 Visitors
The two-day SOMS B2B Expo 2026 received an overwhelming response, with participation from 70+ exhibitors showcasing advanced solutions, innovative products, and new technologies in the specialty fertilizer sector. More than 2,000 visitors, including industry professionals, farmers, researchers, entrepreneurs, and stakeholders, attended the exhibition, making it a successful platform for business networking, knowledge exchange, and exploring future opportunities.
SOMS 2026 concluded as a pivotal platform for knowledge exchange, collaboration, and building a future-ready specialty fertilizer sector, reinforcing the vision of an innovative, sustainable, and self-reliant agricultural ecosystem in India.
