Gandhinagar (Gujarat) [India], July 6: The 4th edition of SOMS 2026 (Specialty Fertilizer Summit & B2B Expo 2026), organized by the Soluble Fertilizer Industry Association (SFIA), concluded successfully at Gift City Club, Gandhinagar. The three-day summit brought together specialty fertilizer manufacturers, industry leaders, scientists, researchers, startups, agri-input companies, and stakeholders from across the country to discuss the future roadmap of India’s specialty fertilizer sector.
Organized under the theme “The Foundation of a Self-Reliant India,” SOMS 2026 focused on strengthening domestic manufacturing capabilities, promoting innovation, reducing dependency on imports, and developing sustainable solutions for Indian agriculture.
Speaking about the summit, Mr. Rajib Chakraborty, President, SFIA, said that India’s specialty fertilizer sector has huge potential to contribute towards Subsidy reduction, sustainable agriculture, and Nutrition Security. He added that SOMS 2026 provided a platform for manufacturers, researchers, and industry experts, a linkage between academia and the industry to work on import substitution. He added that the, instead of academic research, an industry guided research is need of the hour for 2047 vision of self-reliant India.
The summit witnessed several important panel discussions on key industry issues. The session “Linking Practices in Fertilizer Distribution: Opportunity, Challenge or Necessity” included insights from industry experts and was moderated by Ms. Laxmi Devi Aere, Senior Assistant Editor, Press Trust of India (PTI). The discussion focused on challenges, opportunities, and future approaches related to fertilizer distribution practices.
Another key session, “Fertilizer Start-ups & Innovation for Self-Reliance: Reality or Gimmick?”, moderated by Mr. Ashish Pandey, Special Correspondent, The Economic Times, explored the role of startups, technology adoption, and innovation in transforming India’s fertilizer industry.
The session “United for Growth: Past, Present & Future of Specialty Fertilizer Policy – Industry Perspective,” moderated by Mr. Subramani Ra Mancombu, The Hindu Business Line, highlighted industry perspectives on policy reforms, regulatory challenges, and future growth opportunities.
A major highlight of the summit was the SOMS Thesis Showdown, where students and young researchers showcased innovative ideas and research-based solutions related to agriculture and specialty fertilizers. Dr. Pranjib Chakrabarty emphasized that collaboration between research institutions and industry is essential for bringing new technologies to farmers and building a sustainable agriculture ecosystem.
The summit also recognized the contribution of agricultural journalists through the SOMS Agri Journalism Awards 2026. In the Marathi (Print & Digital) category, Mandar Madhusudan Mundale was honoured as the winner. In the Hindi (Broadcast & YouTube) category, Arvind Shukla from News Potli received the winner award, while in Hindi (Print & Digital), Jitender Boora from Dainik Bhaskar was announced as the winner.
Senior journalists and media professionals were also honoured for their contribution towards agriculture journalism and farmer education. Subramani Ra Mancombu (The Hindu Business Line), Ms. Laxmi Devi Aere (PTI), Shambhavi Anand (The Economic Times), and Suchetana Choudhury (Agro Spectrum) received special recognition awards.
With active participation from industry representatives, researchers, innovators, and agriculture experts, SOMS 2026 concluded as an important platform for knowledge exchange, collaboration, and creating a future-ready specialty fertilizer sector. The summit reinforced the vision of building an innovative, sustainable, and self-reliant agricultural ecosystem in India.
The two-day SOMS B2B Expo 2026 also received an overwhelming response from the agriculture and fertilizer industry. The expo witnessed participation from 70+ exhibitors showcasing advanced solutions, innovative products, and new technologies in the specialty fertilizer sector. More than 2,000 visitors, including industry professionals, farmers, researchers, entrepreneurs, and stakeholders, visited the exhibition, making it a successful platform for business networking, knowledge exchange, and exploring future opportunities in the agriculture sector.
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