The Soluble Fertilizer Industry Association (SFIA) will host a two-day Speciality Fertilizer Summit and B2B Expo (SOMS 2026) at Gandhinagar in Gujarat from July 2.A press release from SAI said SOMS held with the theme “The Foundation of a Self-Reliant India.” aims to promote innovation, reduce import dependency, and accelerate India’s journey towards self-reliance in the specialty fertilizer sector.The first day of the summit will feature “The Big Debate”, Linkage in fertilizer distribution, India’s Agri Startup readiness, view points of associations with regard to Fertilizer Control Order and Essential Commodity Act, speciality fertiliser as solution to subsidy. The summit will host a series of high-level panel discussions on fertilizer start-ups, innovation, policy reforms, manufacturing challenges, and the future roadmap of the country’s specialty fertilizer industry. Platform for students“The objective is to bring together manufacturers, scientists, government representatives, agri-input companies, and other stakeholders to create actionable strategies for achieving self-reliance,” the statement said.The summit will also recognise excellence in agricultural journalism, honouring outstanding journalists from English, Hindi, Gujarati, and Marathi media for their significant contribution to agricultural reporting and awareness.The meet will provide a national platform for students and researchers to present their innovative ideas and research related to agriculture and speciality fertilizers.The initiative’s objective is to bridge the gap between academia and industry while promoting next-generation innovations.Rajib Chakraborty, President, Soluble Fertilizer Industry Association (SFIA), said in the statement: “SOMS 2026 is an initiative to bring together Inventors, manufacturers, policymakers, scientists, and industry stakeholders to discuss practical solutions for reducing dependency on imports. We will also present policy recommendations to the Government of India to create a more industry-friendly regulatory framework that encourages domestic manufacturing, supports innovation, and enables India to become self-reliant in the specialty fertilizer sector.”Published on June 30, 2026