Lok Sabha Question No. 4963 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-03-31
Subject: Diseases due to over use of Fertilizers
Ministry: CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS
Asked by: Gowdar Mallikarjunappa Siddeshwara

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

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4963 TO BE ANSWERED ON : 31.03.2023

## Diseases due to over use of Fertilizers

## 4963.  SHRI G. M. SIDDESHWAR:

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

- (a) the quantum of export of fertilizers annually by India;
- (b) whether it is a fact that due to excess use of fertilizers in certain regions of the country, there is growing sign of non-communicable diseases like cancer; and
- (c) if  so, the steps taken by the Government in this regard?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR CHEMICALS & FERTILIZERS ( SHRI BHAGWANT KHUBA)

\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

- (a)  :        The  quantum  of  export  of  fertilizers  by  India  during  2020-21  was  about  270 tonnes and 2021-22 about 144 tonnes.
- (b) & (c):   Indian Council of Agriculture & Research (ICAR)  informed that:

The  nitrogen  use  efficiency  of  nitrogenous  fertilizers  varies  between  30-50% depending on soil type and crop grown. Remaining nitrogen is lost mainly by way of nitrate leaching (causing nitrate contamination in ground water above the permissible limit of 10 mg NO3-N /L).

Thus,  ICAR  recommends  soil  test  based  balanced  and  integrated  nutrient management practices through conjunctive use of both inorganic and organic sources (compost,  bio-fertilizers,  green  manure  etc.),  split  application  and   placement  of nitrogenous fertilizers, use of slow releasing N-fertilizers, nitrification inhibitors and use of neem coated urea etc.  to avoid such situation.'

To reduce dependency on fertilizers in agricultural production, Government has been implementing Paramparagat Krishi Vikas  Yojana  (PKVY) and  Mission Organic Value  Chain  Development  for  North  Eastern  Region  (MOVCDNER)  schemes  to promote organic farming since 2015-16. PKVY is implemented in all the States and Union  Territories  across  the  country  to  promote  organic  farming  in  cluster  mode. Under the PKVY scheme, farmers are provided financial assistance of Rs 50000/ha for 3 years in which, Rs 31000/ha/3 years is provided directly to farmers through Direct

Benefit Transfer (DBT) for organic inputs such as seeds, bio fertilizers, bio-pesticides, organic manure, compost/vermi-compost, botanical extracts, etc. Under  PKVY scheme,  Government  is  providing  assistance  for  training  and  capacity  building  of farmers  on  organic  farming  @  7500/ha/farmer/3  years.    A  low  cost  Participatory Guarantee  System  (PGS)  certification has been  launched  by Government  for development of domestic organic market. Under the Scheme, farmers are assisted @ 2700/ha/3 years for certification. In addition, assistance is provided @8800/ha/3years for  value  addition,  marketing  and  brand  building.  Under  MOVCDNER  scheme, assistance  is  provided  @  Rs.  32500/ha/3  years  to  farmers  for  procurement/on-farm production  organic  inputs  including  organic  fertilizers.  Further,  use  of  Nano  Urea  is being  promoted  through  different  activities  such  as  awareness  camps,  webinars, nukkad nataks, field demonstrations, kisan sammelans and films in regional languages, etc.

*********