Lok Sabha Question No. 3333 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-03-16
Subject: Use of Nanotechnology in Fertilizers
Ministry: CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS
Asked by: Sanjeev Kumar Singari

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

## LOK SABHA

## UN STARRED QUESTION NO. 3333 TO BE ANSWERED ON : 16.03.2021

## Use of Nanotechnology in Fertilizers

## 3333. DR: SANJEEV KUMAR SINGARI:

## Will the Minister of CHEMICALS & FERTILIZERS be pleased to state?

- (a) whether the Government is planning to promote nanotechnology in fertilizers, in order to prevent soil degradation due to excessive use of fertilizers in many States;
- the details of the existing schemes of the Government to promote fertilizers industry in the country?
- if so, the details of nanotechnology fertilizer products in the country; 8 the measures taken by the Government to preserve soil fertility; and

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF CHEMICALS & FERTILIZERS

## (SHRI DV: SADANANDA GOWDA)

(a) & (b): At  present there is no such proposal for   promoting   nanotechnology in fertilizers . However, it is the endeavor of the Government of India to encourage the innovations in the field of agriculture. Recently, Department of Agriculture, Cooperation and Farmers Welfare has notified Nano Urea as Nano-Nitrogen fertilizers in Fertilizer (Control) Order, 1985.

(c): Following steps have been taken by the Government to preserve the soil fertility and to create awareness among farmers for the balanced use of fertilizers:

- Indian  Council of Agriculture Research  (ICAR) is recommending soil test based fertilizer  application through conjunctive use of both inorganic and organic sources (manure, bio-fertilizers etc.) of plant nutrient to promote balanced use of fertilizers . ICAR also imparts training, organizes Frontline Demonstration (FLDs) etc: to educate farmers on this aspect:
- Under Soil Health Card (SHC) scheme, financial assistance is provided to State Governments for training of farmers Rs 24,000/- per training for 2days with 30 or more participants. So far 36,928 farmer training has been sanctioned to States.
- iii . Financial Assistance is also provided for organizing farmer melaslcampaigns Rs.1.00 lakh per farmer melalcampaign: So 7425 farmer melas/campaigns have been sanctioned to States. far,

(d): In order to  promote the fertilizer   industry in the   country, Department of Fertilizers has implemented the following schemes:

- Urea Subsidy: Urea is being provided to the farmers at a statutorily notified Maximum Retail Price (MRP): The difference between the delivered cost of urea at farm and net market realization by the urea units is given as subsidy to the urea manufacturerlimporter by the Government gate
- Nutrient Based Subsidy: The Government has implemented Nutrient Based Subsidy Policy w.e.f 1.4.2010 for Phosphatic and Potassic (P&K) Fertilizers. a fixed amount of subsidy, decided on annual basis , is provided on P&K fertilizers depending on their nutrient content:
- Policy on Promotion of Compost: The Government of India has notified a Policy on Promotion of City Compost on 10.02.2016 under which Market Development Assistance (MDA) of Rs. 1500/- per MT has been provided to manufacturers marketers for scaling up production and consumption of city compost City