Lok Sabha Question No. 3441 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-08-08
Subject: Use of Low Cost Fertilizer
Ministry: CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS
Asked by: Shri Sukanta Kumar Panigrahi

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

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3441

TO BE ANSWERED ON: 08.08.2025

## Use of Low Cost Fertilizer

## 3441. Shri Sukanta Kumar Panigrahi:

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

- (a) whether the Government has taken any steps to promote the use of low-cost, ecofriendly fertilizers or chemical inputs specifically tailored for forest-based livelihoods and tribal agricultural systems;
- (b) if so, the details of such initiatives, including regions covered, implementing agencies and types of inputs promoted;
- (c) whether the Government has consulted the Ministry of Tribal Affairs or Gram Sabhas under the Forest Rights Act to design or implement such solutions;
- (d) if  not,  whether the Government proposes to launch any pilot projects or dedicated schemes targeting aspirational tribal districts with sustainable input strategies; and
- (e) the steps taken to integrate traditional organic inputs with modern low-cost fertilizer to ensure ecological balance and affordability for tribal farmers?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS (SMT. ANUPRIYA PATEL)

(a) and (b) Yes Sir. Government of India has also rolled out a multi-pronged strategy to encourage the adoption of low-cost, eco-friendly fertilizers and agricultural inputs, with a special emphasis  on  empowering  tribal communities and sustaining forest-based livelihoods.  Through  a  convergence  of  schemes  promoting  organic  farming,  traditional agricultural  practices,  and  value  addition  to  forest  produce,  the  government  is  actively fostering a shift towards sustainable and economically viable agricultural systems for these communities. Cornerstones of this initiative are as follows: -

- (i) Paramparagat  Krishi  Vikas  Yojana  (PKVY):A  centrally  sponsored scheme that promotes organic farming through a cluster-based approach. Under PKVY, financial assistance is provided to farmers for organic inputs, with a stated preference for tribal and marginal farmers. This scheme directly addresses the need for affordable and environmentally sound agricultural solutions. To date, PKVY has been  instrumental  in  bringing  large  swathes  of  agricultural  land  under  organic cultivation, benefiting numerous tribal farmers.

(ii) Bhartiya Prakritik Krishi Paddhati (BPKP) :In a move to revive and validate traditional wisdom, the government is promoting traditional farming system through this scheme. This system champions the use of on-farm, natural inputs, effectively creating a zero-budget, eco-friendly agricultural model. By encouraging practices that  have  been  honed  over  generations,  BPKP  not  only  reduces  the  cost  of cultivation but also enhances soil health and biodiversity.

(iii) Mission Organic Value Chain Development for North Eastern Region (MOVCDNER) :This dedicated scheme for the north-eastern states, home to a significant tribal population, focuses on developing robust organic value chains. It provides  comprehensive  support  to  farmers,  from  sourcing  organic  inputs  to marketing their produce, thereby creating a self-sustaining ecosystem for organic agriculture in the region.

(iv) Soil Health Card (SHC) Scheme:Under this scheme, farmers, including those in tribal regions, receive a detailed analysis of their soil's nutrient status. The SHC provides recommendations for the balanced use of fertilizers, advocating for the  application  of  both  chemical  fertilizers  and  organic  manures  based  on  soil deficiencies.

(v) National Mission on Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA):This scheme also contributes significantly to this cause. Through its various sub-missions, such as the Rain-fed Area Development (RAD) program, NMSA promotes integrated farming systems  that  emphasize  the  use  of  organic  manures  and  bio-fertilizers.  These systems are inherently more resilient and less dependent on expensive chemical inputs, making them ideal for the socio-economic and ecological context of tribal and forest-fringe areas.

(vi) PM Programme for Restoration, Awareness Generation, Nourishment, and Amelioration of Mother-Earth (PM-PRANAM) :-  PM-PRANAM scheme aims to support  the  mass  movement  initiated  by  States  and  Union  Territories  (UTs)  to preserve  the  health  of  Mother  Earth  through  the  promotion  of  sustainable  and balanced  fertilizer  use,  adoption  of  alternative  fertilizers,  promotion  of  organic farming, and implementation of resource conservation technologies. All States/UTs are  covered under the PM-PRANAM scheme. Under the PM-PRANAM scheme, there is a provision to provide incentives to States/UTs for reduction of consumption of chemical fertilizers (Urea, DAP, NPK, MOP) in a given financial year, compared to the average consumption over the previous three years, equivalent to 50% of the fertilizer subsidy saved.

(c) and (d) No Sir.

(e) Government  is  actively  pursuing  a  multi-pronged  strategy  to  foster  ecological balance  and  enhance  the  affordability  of  farming  for  tribal  communities  by  integrating traditional organic inputs with modern, low-cost fertilizers. This approach moves beyond a simple  dichotomy  of  'chemical  versus  organic'  and  instead  focuses  on  a  holistic  and sustainable agricultural model tailored to the unique needs and wisdom of tribal farmers.

At  the  heart  of  this  initiative  is  the  principle  of  Integrated  Nutrient  Management (INM), which is being promoted through a convergence of national-level schemes including PKVY; BPKP; SHC; PM-PRANAM; and MOVCDNER etc.

The core idea is to maintain soil fertility and plant nutrient supply at an optimal level for sustaining the desired crop productivity through the optimization of the benefits from all possible sources of organic, inorganic, and biological components in an integrated manner.

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