SOMS 2026 Speciality Fertilizer Summit: Gandhinagar, 2-4 July
Why in the news
The Soluble Fertilizer Industry Association (SFIA) is staging the fourth SOMS summit with a trade expo in Gandhinagar. It seeks to promote innovation and cut reliance on imports under Aatmanirbhar Bharat, and SFIA’s national president Rajib Chakraborty said it will yield policy recommendations to the Government.
Key facts
- Dates: 2-4 July 2026; B2B engagement from 2 July, conference on 3-4 July.
- Venue: Helipad Exhibition Centre, Gandhinagar, Gujarat.
- Theme: The Foundation of a Self-Reliant India.
- Import dependence: 70-80% of soluble fertilizer needs.
- SOMS: Soluble, Organic, Micronutrient and Bio-Stimulant fertilizers.
Programme
| Session | Focus |
|---|---|
| The Big Debate (Day 1) | Distribution linkages and agri-startup readiness |
| Policy reform | Industry views on FCO 1985 and ECA 1955 |
| Subsidy reform | Speciality fertilizers as an answer to the subsidy burden |
| Panels | Startups, innovation, policy, manufacturing challenges, roadmap |
| Agri-Journalism Awards | SFIA’s first; English, Hindi, Gujarati, Marathi |
| Student and researcher platform | Showcase of innovations and research |
About SFIA
- National association for MSME and large makers of speciality (water-soluble, organic, micronutrient, bio-stimulant) fertilizers.
- Roles: policy advocacy, agronomy research support, supply-chain stabilisation.
- Works with 50+ universities, ICAR, CSIR and ICAR-National Research Centre for Grapes; global partner is CCPIT, China.
Fertilizer (Control) Order, 1985
- Issued under Section 3 of the Essential Commodities Act, 1955.
- Regulates quality, distribution and pricing; sets specifications and grades, lists permitted fertilizers and governs manufacturing licences.
- Administered by the Department of Fertilizers, Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers.
Essential Commodities Act, 1955
- Central law letting the Government control production, supply, distribution and prices of essential items such as food grains, drugs, fertilizers and petroleum products.
- Enables price ceilings, hoarding bans and stock limits.
Exam angle
- Organiser: SFIA; edition: 4th.
- FCO 1985 derives from ECA 1955, Section 3.
- Nodal ministry for fertilizers: Chemicals and Fertilizers.