State-promoted Gujarat State Fertilizers and Chemicals Ltd (GSFC) on Wednesday announced the launch of neem-coated urea to make it eco-friendly and a natural fungicide.

In its pursuit of excellence, and in due compliance with the guidelines of the Government of India’s Department of Fertilizers, GSFC has commenced neem-coated urea production, the listed company said in a statement here.

GSFC would produce 35% of its total urea production as neem-coated.

A company spokesman said GSFC had in place the necessary in-house infrastructure for manufacturing this product in the current financial year, at a nominal capital cost. Due to neem coating, urea will now have an added value of being an eco –friendly natural fungicide in soil over and above nitrogen nutrients which would benefit the crop immensely.

Simultaneously, it will prevent the misuse of urea for industrial purpose down the line as neem-coated urea creates foam and odour, the company said. Commercial production of this product has started and the product is now available for sale to the farmers.

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