Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday performed the Bhoomi Pujan for a Rs 10,600-crore Ammonia-Urea Fertiliser Plant at Namrup in Assam, calling it a “historic day” for the state and the entire Northeast. The plant, set to produce 12.7 lakh metric tonnes of urea annually, marks a major stride toward agricultural self-reliance and industrial transformation in the region.
“Today is a historic day for Assam and the entire North East. The long-awaited dream of Namrup and Dibrugarh has been fulfilled, as a new chapter of industrial progress begins in the region. What is being witnessed today is only the beginning. Assam must be taken much further ahead,” Prime Minister Modi told a large public gathering.
Emphasising Assam’s historical importance, Modi recalled its strength during the Ahom era and expressed confidence that the state would play an equally prominent role in a developed India. He said the synergy between industry and connectivity under the Centre and the state government is driving growth, adding that Assam’s youth are now inspired to dream bigger.
The Prime Minister highlighted a sharp rise in India’s urea production since 2014. “In 2014 the country produced only 225 lakh metric tonnes of urea, whereas today production has reached nearly 306 lakh metric tonnes,” he noted. With India’s annual requirement standing at 380 lakh metric tonnes, the government aims to close this gap through modern facilities like the Namrup plant.
Modi recalled Namrup’s legacy as a key fertiliser hub whose output had once supported agriculture across the Northeast. He criticised previous governments for ignoring the outdated plants, leading to closures that hurt farmers and slowed regional growth. “Why are such farmer welfare initiatives happening only after our government came to power?” he asked, contrasting the past neglect with his government’s revival efforts.
He said new fertiliser units in Gorakhpur, Sindri, Barauni, and Ramagundam have already revitalised the sector, and the Namrup plant will further boost employment and self-employment opportunities. “Thousands will secure jobs and local youth will find new avenues in support and supply chains,” Modi said.
Reaffirming his government’s focus on farmer welfare, the Prime Minister said, “A bag of urea that costs Rs 3,000 abroad is provided to Indian farmers for just Rs 300, with the government bearing the rest to ensure no financial burden on our farmers.” He urged farmers to use fertilisers efficiently and protect soil health.
Modi also outlined key initiatives benefiting farmers, including the PM Kisan Samman Nidhi, under which nearly Rs 4 lakh crore has been directly transferred to farmers’ accounts. He said two new schemes worth Rs 35,000 crore—the PM Dhan Dhanya Krishi Yojana and the Dalhan Atmanirbharta Mission—launched this year will further strengthen the agricultural ecosystem.
Highlighting inclusionary measures, Modi said livestock and fish farmers have been brought under the Kisan Credit Card facility, enabling assistance of over Rs 10 lakh crore this year. He also mentioned the National Mission on Natural Farming, the creation of 10,000 Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs), and a special Oil Palm Mission for the Northeast to enhance income and sustainability.
“The government firmly believes the nation can progress only when farmers are strong,” Modi remarked, expressing hope that Assam’s farmers would lead India in natural and organic farming. Concluding his two-day visit to Assam, Modi said the state is witnessing progress across sectors—from industries and modern infrastructure to agriculture, tea gardens, and tourism—affirming that “Assam has caught a new pace of development.”
