Lok Sabha Question No. 1606 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-02-10
Subject: New Fertilizer under NBS Scheme
Ministry: CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS
Asked by: Poonamben Hematbhai Maadam

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

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1606 TO BE ANSWERED ON: 10.02.2023

## New fertilizer under NBS Scheme

## 1606.  SHRIMATI  POONAMBEN MAADAM:

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

- (a) whether the Government is taking steps to incorporate new fertilizers under the Nutrient Based Subsidy (NBS) scheme or Fertilizer Control Order, 1985;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) the steps taken/proposed to be taken by the Government to encourage efficient use of chemical fertilizers;
- (d) the steps taken/proposed to be taken by the Government to reduce the use of chemical fertilizer as it causes pollution;
- (e) whether the Government encourages use of fertilizers from organic sources; and
- (f) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

(a) & (b): No Sir, at present there is no step under consideration for inclusion of new fertilizer grade under the Nutrient Based Subsidy (NBS) scheme.

(c) & (d): Sir, Government 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 reduce the use of chemical fertilizers preventing deterioration of soil health, environment and contamination of groundwater. In  addition,  split  application  and  placement  of  fertilizers,  use  of  slow  releasing  Nfertilizers  and  nitrification  inhibitors,  growing  leguminous  crops  and  use  of  Resource Conservation Technologies (RCTs) are also advocated.  Indian Council of Agricultural Research imparts training, organizes front-line demonstrations and undertakes public campaigns to educate farmers on all these aspects

(e)  &  (f): In  order  to  promote  use  of  organic  sources  of  fertilizers  Government  has developed  several  technologies  and  carried  out  technology  dissemination  activities. Several organic waste recycling and enrichment technologies have been developed. In  order  to  enhance  bio-fertilizer  use  ICAR  has  developed  improved  and  efficient strains  of  bio-fertilizers  specific  to  different  crops  and  soil  types.  Liquid  Bio-fertilizer technology with higher shelf-life has also been developed. These are available for use by farmers and other stakeholders. The ICAR also imparts training to educate farmers and provide technical backstopping to governmental schemes in this regard.

Further Government had also formulated a policy on promotion of city compost on 10.02.2016 wherein Market Development Assistance (MDA) @ Rs. 1500/- per MT in the form of assistance was provided for scaling up production and consumption of city compost. The MDA scheme has been discontinued beyond 30 th  September, 2021 on the recommendation of Expenditure Finance Committee in the Ministry of Finance. Also,  for  promotion  of  organic  and  bio-fertilizers,  Government  has  requested  all fertilizer marketing companies to arrange for mandatory off-take of Fermented Organic Manure (FOM) and other organic & bio-fertilizer with chemical fertilizer as a 'Basket Approach' to ensure balanced and Integrated Nutrient Management for the Crops.

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