Lok Sabha Question No. 2727 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-08-05
Subject: Soil Contamination by Chemical Fertilizers
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: Shri Dharambir Singh

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2727 TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 05 th  August, 2025

## SOIL CONTAMINATION BY CHEMICAL FERTILIZERS

## 2727. SHRI DHARAMBIR SINGH:

Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE क ृ िष एवं िकसान कʞाण मंũी be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  studies  have  shown  that  excessive  use  of  chemical  fertilizers  contaminates soil and drinking water, affecting public health in rural lndia, if so, the details thereof;

(b)  whether  nitrate  pollution  from  urea  and  other  fertilizers  is  linked  to  rising  cases  of cancer and neurological disorders among the rural youth, if so, the details thereof; (c) the steps taken by the Government to promote bio-fertilizers, organic alternatives and responsible fertilizer usage; (d) whether the Government has launched farmer training programs or school campaigns to reduce dependency on synthetic inputs; and (e)  whether  the  Government  is  coordinating  with  the  Health  Ministry  to  address  this

- chemical-induced health risk?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

क ृ िष एवं िकसान कʞाण राǛ मंũी (SHRI RAMNATH THAKUR)

- (a) & (b): There are no harmful effects of fertilizers on soil fertility, if applied in a balanced and judicious manner. The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), based on the results  of All India  Coordinated  Research  Project  on  'Long Term Fertilizer  Experiments' over  five  decades,  is  recommending  balanced  and  integrated  nutrient  management through combined use of both inorganic and organic sources (manure, biofertilizers, green manuring, in-situ crop residue recycling etc.) of plant nutrients. In addition, split application of  fertilizer,  use  of  slow  releasing  fertilizers  including  neem-coated  urea  and  growing leguminous crops is also advocated.
- (c): The Government of India has notified alternative fertilizers namely, Organic Fertilizers, Bio-fertilizers,  De-oiled  cake,  Organic  Carbon  Enhancer  and  Nano  fertilizer  in  The Fertiliser Control Order, 1985 to ensure supply and quality of such fertilizers.

Organic farming is promoted through Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY) in all  the  States/UTs  except  North  Eastern  States  and  Mission  Organic  Value  Chain Development for North Eastern Region (MOVCDNER) for the North Eastern States. Under PKVY assistance of Rs. 31,500 per hectare in 3 years is provided for promotion of organic farming. Out of this, assistance of Rs. 15,000 per ha is provided to farmers through Direct Benefit Transfer for on- farm /off -farm organic inputs including organic compost. Under MOVCDNER, assistance of Rs. 46,500 per hectare in 3 years is provided for creation of Farmers  Producer  Organization,  support  to  farmers  for  organic  inputs  etc.  Out  of  this, assistance @ Rs. 32500 per hectare is provided to farmers for off -farm /on -farm organic inputs under the scheme including Rs. 15,000 as Direct Benefit Transfer to the farmers. Government is implementing Market Development Assistance (MDA) Scheme under which  assistance  @  Rs.  1500/Metric  Tonne  is  provided  to  Compressed  Bio  Gas plants/Fertilizer  Marketing  Companies  for  promotion  of  soil  carbon  enhancers,  viz., Fermented  Organic  Manure  (FOM)/Liquid  Fermented  Organic  Manure  (LFOM)  and organic fertilizer, viz., Phosphate Rich Organic Manure (PROM) produced at plants under Galvanizing Organic Bio-Agro Resources Dhan (GOBARdhan) initiative. As on 23.07.2025, Rs. 54 crore MDA has been released for period 2023-24 to 2025-26. (d) & (e): The Government of India is implementing Soil Health & Fertility Scheme. Under the Scheme, the Soil Health Cards (SHCs) are issued to farmers for providing information on  fertility  status  of  soils  and  recommends  dosages  of  fertilizers,  micro-nutrients,  and macro-nutrients. Further, SHC recommends the dosage of fertilisers to be applied and the type of crop to be sown. Advisories are issued to farmers through Agricultural Technology Management  Agency  (ATMA)  and  KrishiVigyan  Kendra  (KVK)  based  on  the  SHCs generated. 93,781 farmer'strainings, 6.80 lakh demonstrations, 7425 farmer's melas/campaigns on soil health cardrecommendations have been organized across the country. Agri-extension worker like  Agricultural  Technology  Management  Agency (ATMA), Krishi Vigyan Kendras are also involved in knowledge dissemination to farmers about SHC recommendation. Further, under this scheme, the component of School soil health programme is also implemented in 1020 schools to inculcate importance of soil in young mind of students to ensure behavioral change. Under the programme, 1.32 lakh students  are  enrolled  to  undertake  soil  sampling,  testing,  generation  of  SHCs  and educating  farmers  about  judicious  use  of  fertilizers  as  per  SHC  recommendations. Since,  balanced  use  of  fertilizers  does  not  impact  health;  focus  is  on  promotion  of judicious use of fertilizers.

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