In a move aimed at benefitting farmers and removing transport bottlenecks for fertilisers, the government has done away with the licensing permits for foreign vessels transporting fertilisers.
The development assumes significance as a study under the government's Sagarmala project indicates that movement of 6-7 million tonne per annum (MTPA) of fertilisers via coastal shipping will save Rs 800-900 crore.
The decision comes after the government abolished the licensing requirements for foreign vessels transporting agriculture, fishery and animal produce, besides allowing Indian citizens to charter ships for these.
There is a need to improve access to farm inputs
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