Lok Sabha Question No. 22 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-12-11
Subject: Use of Fertilizers
Ministry: CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS
Asked by: MAULANA BADRUDDIN AJMAL

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS DEPARTMENT OF FERTILIZERS

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.  22 TO BE ANSWERED

ON:  11-12-2018

## Use of Fertilizers

## 22 SHRI  BADRUDDIN AJMAL:

Will the Minister of CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether it is a fact that excessive use of chemical fertilizers in the cultivation of traditional and modern crops is causing bad effects;
- (b) if so,  the  details  thereof  along  with  its  impact  on  fertility  of  soil  and ground water; and
- (c) the steps taken/being taken by the Government to address the problem?

## ANSWER

MINISTER  OF  STATE  (INDEPENDENT  CHARGE)  FOR  THE  MINISTRY  OF PLANNING AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF  CHEMICALS & FERILIZERS

## (RAO INDERJIT SINGH)

(a) &  (b):    As  such  there  is no  harmful  effect of chemical  fertilizers with recommended doses and its judicious use.  The study conducted by Indian Council of  Agricultural  Research  under  All  India  Coordinated  Research  Project  on  'LongTerm Fertiliser Experiments' in different soil types (fixed location) under dominant cropping  systems  has  revealed  that  even  in  plots  receiving  NPK  fertilizers,  the deficiency of micro and secondary nutrients surfaced after few years affecting soil health and crop productivity.  The limiting nutrients do not allow the full expression of other nutrients, thereby, lowering the fertilizer responses and crop productivity. Highest decline in crop yield was observed in plot receiving only Urea.

Besides, there is possibility of nitrate contamination in ground  water above the  permissible  limit  of  10  mg  NO3-N/L  due  to  excessive  use  of  nitrogenous fertilizers including urea particularly in light textured soils that has consequence on human/animal  health  if  used  for  drinking  purpose.    There  is  also  possibility  of released  of  N2O  in  the  atmosphere  through  the  process  of  de-nitrification  of nitrogenous fertilizers, particularly, under submerged  soil condition, thereby, contributing to global warming.

The ICAR is recommending soil test based balanced and integrated nutrient management  through  conjunctive  use  of  both  inorganic  and  organic  sources (manure, bio-fertilizers etc.) of plant nutrients to ensure judicious use of chemical fertilizers preventing deterioration of soil health contamination of groundwater and environment.  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

(c):      Soil  Health  Management  (SHM)  Scheme  under  National  Mission  of Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA) aims at promoting Integrated Nutrient Management (INM) through judicious use of chemical fertilizers including secondary  and  micro  nutrients  in  conjunction  with  organic  manures  and  biofertilizers  for  improving  soul  health  and  its  productivity;  up-gradation  of  skill  and knowledge  of  soil  testing  laboratory  staff,  extension  staff  and  farmers  through training and demonstrations.

'Soil  Health  Card'  Scheme  is  under  implementation  in  the  country  since February,  2015  to  provide  Soil  Health  Card  to  all  farmers  in  the  country.    Soil Health Card will provide information to farmers on soil nutrient status of their soil and recommendations on appropriate dosage of nutrient to be applied for improving soil health and its fertility thus increase agricultural productivity.  Soil Health Card will be issued every 2 years for all land holdings in the country.

A study was conducted by National Productivity Council (NPC) in February, 2017  indicates  that  there  has  been  a  decrease  in  use  of  chemical  fertilizer application  in  the  range  of  8-10%  as  a  result  of  application  fertilizer  and  micro nutrients as per the recommendation on Soil Health Cards.

Besides  above,  DAC&FW  is  implementing  a  scheme  titled  Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY) to encourage the farmers to adopt organic farming and organic inputs.  So far 2.38 lakh hectare area has been covered under the scheme.

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