Amit Shah Inaugurates IFFCO's New Sulphuric Acid Plant in Paradeep, Odisha
Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah officially dedicated the newly commissioned Sulphuric Acid Plant–3 (SAP–III) at the Indian Farmers Fertiliser Cooperative Limited (IFFCO) facility in Paradeep, Odisha, to the nation on Saturday. The ceremony highlighted the government's commitment to strengthening the cooperative sector and enhancing agricultural infrastructure.
Boosting Production Capacity and Farmer Benefits
During the event, Shah detailed the plant's evolution, noting that IFFCO acquired the facility in 2005 for Rs 2,577 crore with an initial production capacity of 7.5 lakh metric tonnes. Today, that capacity has surged to approximately 22 lakh metric tonnes, showcasing significant growth and investment in the sector. He emphasized that IFFCO serves nearly five crore farmers across India, making them the true owners of the cooperative's assets.
"Wherever IFFCO's factories are located, their real owners are the five crore farmers of India," Shah stated. "Its turnover of over Rs 41,000 crore, profit exceeding Rs 3,800 crore, and net worth of more than Rs 28,000 crore belong to these farmers. This is the true strength of the cooperative model."
Government's Vision for Cooperative Empowerment
Shah reiterated the Government of India's dedication to fortifying the cooperative movement to economically empower farmers and advance agricultural self-reliance. He stressed that expanding fertiliser infrastructure with modern technology is crucial for ensuring timely availability of agricultural inputs and improving productivity. The new sulphuric acid plant, established at an estimated cost of around Rs 700 crore, has a production capacity of about 2,000 metric tonnes per day.
This facility is expected to enhance the operational capabilities of the Paradeep complex, which stands as one of India's largest integrated phosphatic fertiliser production units. Shah also announced that the Ministry of Cooperation and the Odisha government will collaborate to improve rural life in the state, fostering further development in the agricultural sector.
Ceremony Attended by Key Dignitaries
The dedication ceremony saw the presence of several prominent figures, including:
- Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi
- Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan
- IFFCO Chairman Dilip Sanghani
- IFFCO Managing Director KJ Patel
- Members of Parliament
- State ministers
- Senior officials
This collective participation underscores the importance of the plant in bolstering India's agricultural economy and supporting the cooperative framework that benefits millions of farmers nationwide.
