Lok Sabha Question No. 2974 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-18
Subject: Effects of Chemical Fertilizers on Animal Health
Ministry: FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING
Asked by: Shri Trivendra Singh Rawat

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING DEPARTMENT OF ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING LOK SABHA

ADMITTED UN STARRED QUESTION NO.2974 TO BE ANSWERED ON 18 TH  MARCH, 2025

## EFFECTS OF CHEMICAL FERTILIZERS ON ANIMAL HEALTH

2974. SHRI TRIVENDRA SINGH RAWAT:

## Will the Minister of FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING

## मत्स्यपालन , पशुपालन और डेयरी मंत्री

be pleased to State:

- (a) whether the Government is aware of the harmful effects of chemical fertilizers, particularly urea, on animal health if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether  the  Government  is  conducting  training  programmes  to  make  cattlemen  and  farmers aware about the balanced use of urea and safe animal fodder, if so, the details thereof,
- (c) whether the Government is implementing any special scheme to promote the use of natural or organic fertilizers to avoid any harmful effects on animals health, if so, the details thereof;
- (d) whether the Government has proposed to provide any compensation or financial assistance to cattlemen to safeguard them from such incidents; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## THE HON'BLE MINISTER OF STATE FOR FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING

((PROF. S P SINGH BAGHEL)

- (a) Yes.  As  per  the  information  provided  by  Indian  Council  of  Agricultural  Research  (ICAR),  Urea toxicity in animals has been studied. Accordingly, based on requirement of urea supplementation for animal performance, safe level of adding urea in animal diet has been fixed. The chemical fertilisers should be used with recommended doses for its judicious use.
- (b) Department under Assistance to States for Control of Animal Disease (ASCAD) of Livestock Disease Control programme (LHDCP) provides 100 % financial assistance to the States/UTs for awareness, training and publicity on Good Animal Husbandry Practices and Veterinary care. Department through Regional  Fodder  stations  also  conducts  Farmer's  training  program  annually  on  best  practices  for fodder  production  and  judicious  use  of  chemical  fertilisers.  Further,  trainings  are  conducted  for farmers  by  ICAR institutes  on  urea  ammoniation  of  straw  using  urea.  As  informed  by  Ministry  of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, soil heath cards and advisories have been issued to farmers through Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs). Besides, Krishi Sakhis are trained  through demonstration, training and mela on proper use of fertilisers.

The Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying is undertaking training programmes for farmers engaged in dairying and for milk producers under the schemes namely Rashtriya Gokul Mission to encourage the usage of silage and Total mix ration to improve nutrition.

Under National Programme for Dairy Development (NPDD) assistance is provided for training and awareness programme for farmers on good hygienic practice & good manufacturing practice, for milk testers,  DCS  staff,  dairy  personnel  on  plant  operations  etc.  In  addition  to  this  under  fodder development  activity,  assistance  is  provided  for  demonstration  and  propagation  of  modern  fodder production and conservation technology.

The  Department  has  also  developed  Skill  Development  Framework  for  enhancing  the  skills  of entrepreneurs,  farmers  and  other  stakeholders.  This  initiative  is  ensuring  that  the  livestock  sector remains competitive by empowering individuals with the latest knowledge and training.

- (c )  As informed by Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, the government is promoting organic farming through the schemes namely  Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY) in all the states/UTs and Mission Organic Value Chain Development of North Eastern Region (MOVCDNER) to promote natural resources based integrated and climate resilient sustainable farming system.

The Indian Council of Agricultural  Research (ICAR) 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 with 4Rs approach i.e. right quantity, right time, right mode and right type of fertilizer for judicious use of chemical fertilizers to prevent deterioration of soil health and contamination of groundwater.

- (d) and (e)  Department do not have any scheme proposed in this regard.

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