On the evening of September 26, 2020, the working conference of the Nitro-Calcium-Magnesium Fertilizer Branch of the China Nitrogen Fertilizer Industry Association was held in Chengdu, Sichuan Province. Li Tengfei, Chairman of the Nitro-Calcium-Magnesium Fertilizer Branch of the China Nitrogen Fertilizer Industry Association and General Manager of Shanxi Huaxin Fertilizer Co., Ltd., first delivered a report at the meeting on the branch’s work during the previous year.

Li Tengfei explained that 2020 was an exceptionally unusual year, marked by profound changes and characterized by both opportunities and challenges. Affected one after another by the COVID-19 pandemic and the Beirut port explosion, China's market demand and export trade for nitric acid, ammonium nitrate, and nitrocalcium-magnesium fertilizers significantly contracted.

Li Tengfei stated that, in the next step, the Nitro Calcium-Magnesium Fertilizer Branch will continue to forge ahead in five key areas, constantly unlocking the inherent potential of companies in the industry.

First, improve the organizational structure and management system of the sub-association.

Li Tengfei pointed out that, as a newly established organization, the Nitrogen-Containing Calcium-Magnesium Fertilizer Branch faces the practical challenges of staff shortages and lack of experience. To expedite organizational development and promptly begin substantive work, the branch will continuously listen to the feedback from its member units. Starting with the needs of enterprises, it will swiftly set up relevant functional departments, laying a solid foundation for subsequent activities. At the same time, the branch will actively promote a specialized seminar mechanism to further deepen its understanding of current market conditions. The information gathered, after careful screening, will not only help refine the branch’s management system but also drive continuous improvement of its internal organizational mechanisms, thereby providing strong support for formulating future work plans and guiding practical operations.

Second, increase the visibility of the sub-associations and thoughtfully build bridges between the associations and enterprises.

Li Tengfei stated that, in the upcoming work phase, the Nitro-Calcium-Magnesium Fertilizer Branch will continue to focus on promotion and publicity efforts. While actively participating in industry trade shows, the branch will also keep pace with the trends of the new media era, leveraging popular platforms such as WeChat Official Accounts, Douyin, and Toutiao to proactively raise its voice, further enhancing market recognition and boosting its presence in the market. In addition, the branch will continue to improve its online infrastructure—not only ensuring accurate reporting of web data but also gradually establishing a price index to guide enterprises’ production and operations and help prevent unhealthy competition in the market.

Third, build a strong wall of talent by establishing sub-association expert committees.

Li Tengfei pointed out that innovation is the very foundation of survival, and talent is the source of innovation. In the next phase of work, the sub-association will prioritize talent development as a key annual assessment criterion. We must not only fully recognize the importance of expert-level talent but also put this recognition into practice by actively leveraging the sub-association to communicate with experts from various fields—including enterprises, agriculture, human biology, and medicine—thereby further promoting the development of the sub-association’s own expert committee.

Fourth, further expand the scope of application for nitrocalcium-magnesium fertilizers.

Li Tengfei introduced that, in the next phase of work, the Nitrate Calcium-Magnesium Fertilizer Branch will track and study the progress of ammonium nitrate calcium trials and demonstrations conducted on peanuts in Zhengyang and Qixian counties, as well as on apples in Lingbao. Once the results of ammonium nitrate calcium prove promising in the later stages, we will not only organize field visits for farmers to observe these trials firsthand and promote the benefits of ammonium nitrate calcium through lectures and outreach efforts, but also invite calcium-magnesium fertilizer companies to set up specialized exhibitions. In addition, this coming autumn, we will carry out certain trials and demonstrations of ammonium nitrate calcium on crops such as wheat, garlic, and onions, thereby further expanding the scope of application for ammonium nitrate calcium and calcium-magnesium fertilizers.

Fifth, proactively identify industry issues and diligently address enterprises’ challenges.

Li Tengfei stated that, as a formal, institutionalized organization, the Nitro-Calcium-Magnesium Fertilizer Branch will continue to take it upon itself to address the challenges faced by enterprise development and promote the common progress of the industry. On the one hand, the branch will actively listen to the voices of enterprises; on the other hand, it will diligently work to resolve immediate difficulties. In this key area of work, the branch will make good use of its organizational strength, maintain close communication and coordination with relevant departments such as the safety inspection authorities, the Ministry of Agriculture, and the Ministry of Emergency Management, and strive to make a meaningful contribution to the healthy development of the industry in the next phase. Moreover, in the future, the branch will also continue to closely monitor national policy developments and promptly push for the initiation of relevant fertilizer standards for nitro-calcium-magnesium fertilizers, ensuring that marketing efforts are not hindered as a result.

Carrying forward the past and ushering in the future—Li Tengfei stated that the Nitro Calcium-Magnesium Fertilizer Association’s next step in development will continue to uphold a strong sense of mission and responsibility, always placing the promotion of industry growth at the very forefront of its work. As the saying goes, “Without accumulating small steps, one cannot reach a thousand miles; without gathering small streams, one cannot form rivers and seas.” Each of us should clearly recognize that pursuing excellence is a journey of steady, incremental progress. Only by uniting as one and cultivating within the association a spirit of dedication, commitment, courage to explore new frontiers, willingness to innovate, and selfless devotion can we forge a brand-new synergy and help the nitro calcium-magnesium fertilizer industry achieve even greater success in the future!

Li Tengfei pointed out: "Diligence and hard work are paramount—never fear hardship! Let’s join hands once again and embark on this new journey together. The future of the Nitro Calcium-Magnesium Fertilizer Branch will surely be even brighter!"