Lok Sabha Question No. 248 (STARRED), answered on 2018-03-13
Subject: Use of Chemical Fertilizers
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: BANSHILAL MAHTO

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

कृ ष एवं कसान कयाण

- (a) to (e):

½ãâ¨ããè (SHRI RADHA MOHAN SINGH) A statement is laid on the Table of the House.

O.I.H.

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, COOPERATION & FARMERS WELFARE

## LOK  SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 248

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 13 TH  MARCH, 2018

## USE OF CHEMICAL FERTILIZERS

*248.   DR. BANSHILAL MAHATO:

Will  the  Minister  of  AGRICULTURE  AND  FARMERS  WELFARE कृ ष एवं कसान कयाण ½ãâ¨ããè be pleased to state:

- (a) the quantum of chemical fertilizers used/being used across the country during each of the last three years and the current year;
- (b) whether  the  Government  has  carried  out  any  research  to  ascertain  the  extent  to which  the  excessive  use  of  chemical  fertilizers  destroys  soil  fertility  and  causes  various types of diseases and other problems;
- (c) if so, the details thereof along with the follow-up action taken by the Government on the findings of the said research;
- (d) whether the Government  has launched any programme/campaign  to create awareness amongst the farmers regarding use of conventional and harmless fertilizers or the benefits of organic farming; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof?

## STATEMENT  REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (a)  TO  (e)  OF  LOK  SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 248    DUE FOR REPLY ON 13 TH  MARCH, 2018.

(a): The total consumption of the major fertilizer namely Urea,  Di-ammonium Phosphate, Muriate of Potash, Complex and Single Super Phosphate during last three years and the current year is as under:

| Year     |   Consumption (in LMT) |
|----------|------------------------|
| 2014-15  |                 533.56 |
| 2015-16  |                 552.82 |
| 2016-17  |                 536.11 |
| 2017-18* |                 510.7  |

(b)  &  (c):          The  Indian  Council  of  Agricultural  Research  (ICAR)  through  All  India Coordinated Research Project on   'Long-Term Fertilizer Experiments has assessed the impact  of   long  term  use  of  chemical  fertilizers  in  different  soil  types  (fixed  locations) under dominant cropping systems. The investigation over the last five decades indicates that even in NPK fertilized system, nutritional disorders in terms of deficiency of micro and  secondary  nutrients  can  surface  after  few  years,  affecting  soil  health  and  crop productivity. Highest decline in crop yield was observed in plot receiving only urea.

As such, there is no harmful effect of chemical fertilizers on soil health/degradation with balanced and judicious use. However, imbalanced use of chemical fertilizers coupled with low addition of organic matter over years may cause multi-nutrient deficiencies vis-à-vis nutrient disorders in plants.

Accordingly,  the  ICAR  recommends  soil  test  based  balanced  and  integrated nutrient  management  through  conjunctive  use  of  both  inorganic  and  organic  sources (manure,  biofertilizers  etc.)   of   plant nutrients to      ensure judicious use of chemical

-2- fertilizers  preventing  deterioration  of  soil  health  and  contamination  of  groundwater.  In addition, split application and placement of fertilizers, use of slow releasing N-fertilizers and nitrification inhibitors, growing leguminous crops and use of Resource Conservation Technologies (RCTs) are also advocated, by extension functionaries.

The  ICAR  also  imparts  training,  organises  front-line  demonstrations  etc.  to educate farmers on all these aspects.

Further,  the  Government  of  India  is  implementing  a  Soil  Health  Card  Scheme under the National Mission of Sustainable Agriculture. Under the scheme the farmers are not only educated about the soil fertility status of their land but are also provided the recommended doses of  nutrients  required  to  be  used  by  the  farmers  for  a  particular crop.

(d)  &  (e):          Government  of  India  is  implementing  Parampragat  Krishi  Vikas  Yojna (PKVY)  and  Mission  Organic  Value  Chain  Development  for  North  Eastern  Region (MOVCDNER). Under these schemes, the main focus  is  on  creating  awareness  and educating the farmers about organic farming practices in the areas where the clusters are formed.

Besides,  National  Centre  of  Organic  Farming  (NCOF),  Ghaziabad  and  its regional  centres  undertake  various  extension  and  publicity  activities  like  exhibitions, radio talks, TV programmes distribution of literature on organic inputs/organic farming etc.  to  educate  farmers.  NCOF  and  its  centres  also  conducts  training  and  skill development courses for farmers in organic farming.

******