Bharuch, June 16: Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel announced on Tuesday that Gujarat Narmada Valley Fertilizers and Chemicals Limited (GNFC) aims to expand its project portfolio from ₹7,000 crores to ₹70,000 crores by 2047. This ambitious plan positions the state-owned company as a key contributor to India’s goal of becoming a ‘developed’ and ‘self-reliant’ nation.
While addressing the Golden Jubilee celebration of GNFC in Narmada Nagar, Bharuch district, Patel highlighted the company’s five-decade journey, showcasing its significant role in Gujarat’s industrial and agricultural development. He emphasized that GNFC’s success story is intertwined with the prosperity of farmers and the broader vision of ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat.’
Patel urged GNFC to implement a long-term roadmap aligned with the ‘Developed India 2047’ vision, significantly increasing its investment plans in the coming decades. The Gujarat government has also prepared a ‘Developed Gujarat 2047’ roadmap to ensure balanced and comprehensive development across six key sectors.
Linking GNFC’s Golden Jubilee to the 12 years of governance under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Patel noted, “During this period, India has rapidly advanced towards becoming the world’s third-largest economy.” He acknowledged the crucial role of Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) in this progress, stating that PM Modi has enhanced their efficiency, transparency, competitiveness, and profitability through a professional approach.
The establishment of GNFC was aimed at supporting agricultural productivity through the supply of quality fertilizers, contributing to self-reliance in the chemical sector, and promoting socio-economic development alongside environmental sustainability.
Patel also highlighted the company’s ‘Neem Project,’ which utilizes neem seed oil for coating urea and producing organic products. This initiative has empowered over 450,000 rural women by involving them in collecting neem seeds. He congratulated GNFC for its ’50 Developed Villages: Vision 2047′ initiative aimed at the holistic development of 50 villages in Bharuch district.
The Chief Minister inaugurated the Namo Vadvan Miyawaki Forest and Oxygen Park in Narmada Nagar, opened a Community Science Center, and released a coffee-table book showcasing GNFC’s 50-year history.
Manoj Kumar Das, Chairman and Chief Secretary of GNFC, reminisced about his visit to the company shortly after his appointment as a civil servant in 1991. He remarked, “GNFC has evolved far beyond its initial vision and has become a significant player in the industry.” He credited the company’s achievements to approximately 273,000 shareholders, employees, officials, suppliers, and workers who have contributed to its growth over the past five decades.
Das stated that all state government companies have adopted the ‘Vision 2047’ document, with GNFC currently managing projects worth around ₹7,000 crores. The company plans to adopt a strategy of ‘strengthening, expanding, and diversifying’ to align with emerging global trends.
He also mentioned that GNFC has invested nearly ₹200 crores in Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives in education, healthcare, and nutrition. As part of its contribution to the ‘Developed India’ mission, the company plans to adopt around 50 villages in Bharuch district and develop them as model villages.
Das referred to Gujarat’s new industrial policy, stating that the incentives of 25 to 30 percent announced by the state government will enhance the viability of GNFC’s projects and facilitate progress towards its long-term goals.
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