The Indian Farmers Fertiliser Cooperative Limited (IFFCO) on November 3 commenced its Diamond Jubilee Year (2026-27), marking 60 years since its establishment in 1967. Founded with 57 cooperative member societies, the organisation has grown into a major player in India's fertiliser sector, with a presence in manufacturing, research and agricultural technology.
As part of the celebrations, IFFCO will install statues of its founder and first chairman, Maharajkumar Sahib Udaybhansinhji Natwarsinhji Jethwa, at all its manufacturing units and its head office in New Delhi. The initiative is intended to recognise his contribution to establishing the cooperative in 1967 and shaping its founding vision.
IFFCO's manufacturing journey began with the commissioning of its Kalol unit near Ahmedabad in 1975, followed by the Kandla unit in 1976. The Phulpur unit was established in 1981 and Aonla in 1988. In 2005, IFFCO became the first cooperative organisation in India to acquire a private-sector enterprise.
The Kalol unit, which completed 50 years in 2025, expanded its capacity in 1998 to around 1,100 tonnes per day of ammonia and 1,650 tonnes per day of urea. It also implemented an energy-saving project in 2011-12 to improve energy efficiency and plant performance.
In recent years, IFFCO has focused on nanotechnology-based fertilisers. It developed nano fertilisers in 2019 and began field trials under the guidance of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR). Nano Urea was launched for nationwide distribution in 2021. The first nano urea manufacturing plant at Kalol was dedicated to the nation in May 2022. In 2023, the country's first Nano DAP manufacturing plant, also at Kalol, was dedicated to the nation by Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
IFFCO has planned 60 programmes across the country during the jubilee year, covering cooperative development, sustainable agriculture, farmer awareness and technology adoption. The programme will include 60 farmers' meetings and cooperative-strengthening initiatives, with participation from the organisation's board members and senior management. These engagements will focus on modern farming practices, nano fertilisers, digital services and gathering feedback from farmers.
IFFCO Chairman Dileep Sanghani said the organisation would use the occasion to strengthen grassroots cooperatives, promote rural livelihoods and expand opportunities for women through entrepreneurship, capacity-building and initiatives such as Drone Didi. He also said IFFCO would continue to focus on agricultural innovation and farmers' welfare.
Managing Director K.J. Patel said all IFFCO production units were operating with an emphasis on reliability, efficiency and capacity utilisation despite challenges in global energy and fertiliser markets. He added that the organisation was working with the government and other stakeholders to ensure timely production and distribution of fertilisers.
IFFCO also felicitated Sanghani on his election as Director-at-Large of the International Cooperative Alliance, the global apex body representing cooperatives.