Lok Sabha Question No. 1600 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-07-28
Subject: New PM-PRANAM Scheme
Ministry: CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS
Asked by: Kripanath Mallah, Ravneet Singh

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

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1600 TO BE ANSWERED ON: 28.07.2023

## New PM-PRANAM  Scheme

1600:  SHRI KRIPANATH MALLAH: SHRI RAVNEET SINGH BITTU:

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

- (a)      whether  the  Government  is  proposing  to  launch  PM  Promotion  of  Alternate Nutrients for Agriculture Management  scheme  (PM-PRANAM)  to  promote balanced use of chemical fertilizers/alternative fertilizers and promote natural and sustainable agriculture;
- (b)        if  so,  the  details  and  present  status  thereof  indicating  the  funds  earmarked  and targets set along with the status proposed to be covered, State/ UT-wise including Assam;
- (c)      the time by which such scheme is likely to be implemented;
- (d)    whether the Government has also approved the Liberalized Market Development Assistance (LMDA) Scheme and also a scheme to introduce sulphur-coated urea; and
- (e)     if so, the details thereof along with the benefits to be accrued thereon?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (c) :   Yes, Sir. The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) in its meeting held on 28th June, 2023 has approved the 'PM Programme for Restoration, Awareness Generation,  Nourishment,  and  Amelioration  of  Mother-Earth  (PM-PRANAM)'.  The initiative aims to support the mass movement started by States/UTs to save the health of  Mother  Earth  by  promoting  sustainable  and  balanced  use  of  fertilizers,  adopting alternate fertilizers, promoting organic farming and implementing resource conservation technologies.

Under the said scheme, it is proposed that 50% of the fertilizer subsidy saved by a State/UT in a particular financial year by way of reduction in consumption of chemical fertilizers (Urea, DAP, NPK, MOP) compared to previous 3 years' average consumption, will  be  passed  on  to  that  State/UT  as  Grant.  The  PM-PRANAM  scheme  is  being implemented for a period of three years (FY 2023-24 to FY 2025-26). All states/UTs are eligible under the said scheme.

(d) & (e):   Yes, Sir. The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) in its meeting held on 28 th   June, 2023 has approved the Market Development Assistance (MDA) @ Rs.  1500/MT  to  promote  organic  fertilizers,  i.e.    manure  produced  at  plants  under GOBARdhan initiative covering different Biogas/CBG support schemes/programmes of stakeholder Ministries/Departments such as Sustainable Alternative Towards Affordable Transportation (SATAT) scheme of MoPNG, 'Waste to Energy' programme of MNRE, Swachh Bharat Mission (Rural) of DDWS, etc. with total outlay of Rs. 1451.84 Crore (FY 2023-24 to 2025-26), which includes a corpus of Rs. 360 crore for research gap funding, etc.

Further, CCEA in its meeting held on 28 th  June, 2023 has approved the proposal for  launching of  Sulphur Coated Urea with the name of 'Urea Gold'. SCU would also address the shortage of Sulphur in Indian Soil, which is a key micronutrient. SCU has better  Nitrogen  use  efficiency  as  compared  to  Neem  Coated  Urea.  Moreover,  SCU would ensure reduced water pollution & salt index, avoid soil compaction and improve crop quality & yields.

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