Jagatsinghpur, Mar 6: Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Amit Shah on Friday inaugurated the new sulphuric acid plant of the Indian Farmers Fertiliser Cooperative Limited (IFFCO) at Paradip in Odisha’s Jagatsinghpur district, officials said.

The facility is expected to significantly enhance fertiliser production capacity and contribute to the government’s vision of ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’.

Boost to Fertiliser Production

The newly inaugurated plant, built at a cost of around Rs750 crore, has a daily production capacity of 2,000 tonnes of sulphuric acid. Officials said the facility will strengthen IFFCO’s fertiliser ecosystem, reduce dependence on imports, and ensure steady supply of raw materials for agriculture.

Cooperative Strength

Speaking at the event, Shah said the expansion of fertiliser production capacity was a step towards self-reliance in agriculture inputs. He underlined the importance of cooperatives in empowering farmers and rural communities, noting that IFFCO’s initiatives were aligned with the government’s broader goal of strengthening India’s agricultural backbone.

Odisha’s Role in Growth

The Home Minister also highlighted Odisha’s growing importance in India’s industrial and agricultural landscape. He said Paradip was emerging as a hub for fertiliser and chemical manufacturing, and the new plant would further boost the State’s contribution to national development.

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Rural Empowerment

Shah added that the government was committed to expanding cooperative models in Odisha, particularly in the dairy sector, inspired by Gujarat’s Amul. He said such initiatives would empower rural women and tribal communities, providing them with sustainable economic opportunities.

Dignitaries Present

Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, and State’s Industries Minister Sampad Chandra Swain were, among other dignitaries, present on the occasion.