Lok Sabha Question No. 1944 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-08-02
Subject: Fertiliser subsidy
Ministry: CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS
Asked by: Shri Arvind Dharmapuri

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

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1944 TO BE ANSWERED ON 02.08.2024 FERTILISER SUBSIDY

1944:  SHRI ARVIND DHARMAPURI:

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

- (a) the details of the fertilizer subsidy issued to farmers since 2019 in the country, State/UT-wise and year-wise;
- (b) the steps taken/proposed to be taken by the Government to ensure nutrient-rich fertiliser use and control ground water contamination in the country; and
- (c) the steps taken/proposed to be taken by the Government to ensure balanced use of potassium in the country?

## ANSWER

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

- (a): The Government provides subsidy to ensure adequate availability of fertilizers at affordable prices to the farmers. Under 'DBT in Fertilizers' system, 100% subsidy on various fertilizer grades is released to the fertilizer companies, on actual sales to the beneficiaries based on Aadhar authentication through POS devices installed at each retail shop.   The data on details of subsidy provided for fertilizers is not maintained at State/UT  level.  The  details  of  subsidy  provided  from  2019-20  to  2024-25  (as  on 22.07.2024) is available and is as below:

| Year                     |   Amount (Rs. in Crores) |
|--------------------------|--------------------------|
| 2019-20                  |                  83466.5 |
| 2020-21                  |                 131230   |
| 2021-22                  |                 157640   |
| 2022-23                  |                 254799   |
| 2023-24                  |                 195421   |
| 2024-25 (as on 22.07.24) |                  36993.4 |

(b)  &  (c): The  Indian  Council  of  Agriculture  &  Research  (ICAR)  informed  that  to ensure  nutrient  rich  fertilizers  use  soil  test  based  balanced  and  integrated  nutrient management  practices through 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. is recommended.  To  ensure  balanced  use  of  fertilizer, the Government of India through various schemes viz. Indigenous P&K, Imported P&K, Indigenous Urea and Imported Urea provides nutrient rich subsidized fertilizers to the farmers.  Further, the Government has approved the Market Development Assistance (MDA) @ Rs. 1500/MT to promote organic fertilizers.

The Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) informed that water being a State subject, initiatives for water  management,  including  its  quality is primarily the responsibility of the States. However, various steps have been taken by the Central Government for facilitating ground water quality improvement/remediation of contamination in the country, as given below:

1. Data on ground water quality available with CGWB are made available in public domain through reports as well as through the web site (https://cgwb.gov.in) for use by various stakeholders. The data is also shared with concerned State Governments for taking necessary remedial measures.

2. Awareness generation programs/workshop on various aspects of ground water including preventing ground water pollution and safe use of contaminated water are being conducted by CGWB periodically.

Several fertilizer  grades  having  potassium  content  have  been  included  under NBS (Nutrient Based Subsidy) scheme viz., Muriate of Potash (60% K) NPK 10-26-26 (26% K),  NPK  15-15-15  (15%  K),  NPK  17-17-17  (17%  K),  NPK  19-19-19  (19%  K), NPK 16-16-16 (16% K), NPK 14-35-14 (14% K), NPK 14-28-14 (14% K), NPK 12-3216 (16% K), NPKS 15-15-15-09 (15% K), NPK 8-21-21 (21% K), NPK 9-24-24 (24% K) and NPK 11-30-14 (14% K). Further, Potash derived from Molasses (PDM) which is 100% indigenously  manufactured  fertilizer  having  14.5%  K  has  been  notified  under Nutrient based subsidy (NBS) regime w.e.f. 13.10.2021.

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