Lok Sabha Question No. 493 (STARRED), answered on 2025-04-04
Subject: Adoption of Nano Fertilizers
Ministry: CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS
Asked by: Shri Bharatsinhji Shankarji Dabhi

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

## LOK SABHA

STARRED QUESTION NO. *493 TO BE ANSWERED ON:

04.04.2025

## Adoption of Nano Fertilizers

## *493:   SHRI BHARATSINHJI SHANKARJI DABHI:

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

- (a) the  steps  taken  by  the  Government  to  ensure  widespread  dissemination  and adoption of Nano Urea and Nano DAP among farmers in the country particularly in the rural areas;
- (b) the measures being taken to ensure the availability of nano fertilizers in remote and inaccessible areas;
- (c) whether  the  Indian  Council  of  Agricultural  Research  (ICAR)  or  other  research institutes  are  conducting  any  studies  on  the  long-term  effects  of  nano  fertilizers particularly on soil health and productivity; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

MINISTER IN THE MINISTRY OF CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS

(SHRI JAGAT PRAKASH NADDA)

- (a) to (d): A statement is laid on the table of the House.

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## STATEMENT REFERRED TO LOK SABHA  STARRED QUESTION NO.  *493  FOR 04.04.2025 REGARDING  'Adoption  of  Nano  Fertilizers'  TABLED  BY  SHRI BHARATSINHJI SHANKARJI DABHI

(a) & (b): In  order  to  promote  the  use  of  Nano  Fertilizers  amongst  the  farmers  in rural areas, the following steps have been taken:

- i. Government of India has pursued with the states on use of Nano fertilizer at various forums. In the Zonal conference for assessment of fertilizers for Kharif  2024  season,  held  from  5th  February  to  9th  February,  2024, Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare (DA&FW) requested the State  Governments  to  promote  the  use  of  nano  fertilizer  in  their  states through their extension machinery.
- ii. DA&FW during the  Rabi,  2024-25  season  assessed  the  requirement  of Nano  Urea  and  Nano  DAP.  DA&FW  vide  letter  dated  3rd  July,  2023 informed  all  the  State  Govt.  /  UTS  /ICAR  institutes  to  include  FCO approved application of Nano-fertilizers as critical inputs in the cafeteria of interventions for demonstrations (Cluster Demonstrations/ Block Demonstrations/ Cluster Front Line Demonstrations/ Front Line Demonstrations)  to  be  conducted  under  NFSM/  NMEO  as  per  SAUs/ ICARs recommended package of practices.
- iii. Use  of  Nano  Urea  is  promoted  through  different  activities  such  as awareness camps, webinars, nukkadnataks, field  demonstrations,  Kisan Sammelans and films in regional languages etc.
- iv. Nano Urea and Nano DAPare made available at Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samridhi Kendras (PMKSKs) by concerned companies.
- v. Nano  Urea  has  been  included  under  monthly  supply  plan  issued  by Department of Fertilizers regularly.
- vi. ICAR through Indian Institute of Soil Science, Bhopal recently organized National Campaign on 'Efficient and Balanced Use of Fertilizer (including Nano-fertilizers)'.
- vii. Promotion  of  use  of  nano  fertilizers  was  done  during  the  Viksit  Bharat Sankalp Yatra (VBSY) which was launched on 15th November, 2023.
- viii. For ease in application and utilization of Nano fertilizers like Nano Urea through  foliar  application,  initiatives  such  as  innovative  spraying  options like  'Kisan  Drones'  and  distribution  of  batteryoperatedsprayers  at  retail points are undertaken. For this purpose, pilot training and custom hiring spraying services through Village Level Entrepreneurs are actively promoted.
- ix. DoF  in  collaboration  with fertilizer  companies  has  initiated  a  Maha Abhiyan  for  adoption  of  Nano  DAP  in  all  15  agro-climatic  zones  of  the country through consultations and field level demonstrations. Further, DoF in collaboration with fertilizer companies has also launched campaign for field level demonstrations and awareness programs of Nano Urea plus in 100 districts of the country.

(c)  &  (d):      Indian  Council  of  Agriculture  Research  (ICAR),  research  institutes  (20), KVKs (30) and state Agricultural Universities (25) have carried out nano urea (liquid) and  Nano  DAP  trials  on  different  crops  (>  20  crops)  such  as  Paddy,  Wheat,  Maize, Sorghum,  Finger  millet,  Bajra,  Groundnut,  Mustard,  Pulse,  Fodder,  Cotton,  Tomato, Chilly, Cabbage,  Cucumber,  Capsicum,  Onion,  Ginger,  Turmeric,  Cassava  and Elephant foot yam covering 15 agro-climatic zones. Impact of nano urea varies with the crops. On an average it saved upto 8-12 % fertilizer nitrogen along with recommended package of practices.  Application of nano urea (02 sprays) with 100% RDF in rajma has no adverse impact on soil nutrients content.  There is no significant change in the soil  mineral  N  concentration  for  75  %  RDF  +  1  NU  spray  for  wheat,  however  soil  N content  decreased  (10-15%)  in  rice  (Patna).  In  okra  and  bottle  gourd,  application  of 75%  RDF  +  2sprays  of  nano  urea  can  replace  N  requirement  by  25.0  %  of  foliar application but recorded depletion of soil mineral N (20-25%). Application of 100 % N + one  nano  urea  spray  significantly  decreased  the  cyanogen  (bitterness  compound)  in casava  at  Thiruvananthapuram  (CTCRI).  Combined  use  of  chemical  fertilizers  (50% RDN)  +  two  foliar  nano  urea  spray  +  zinc  application  exhibited  on  par  dry  fodder production  but  elevated  protein  content  (1-2%)  and  reduced  fiber  fractions  in  fodder maize at Karnal.

The project "Effect of Nano Urea and DAP and popularization of its use in crop production," is undertaken at ICAR from 2024 to 2026, to evaluate the impact of Nano Urea and DAP on crop growth, soil health,  and  nutrient  uptake  across  various  agroecological zones in India.

An MoU was signed between National Productivity Council (NPC) of India and Department of Fertilizers on 5th March, 2024 to undertake the study of Nano Urea on "Evaluating  Efficacy,  Utility  and  Impact  of  Nano  Urea  in  comparison  to  Conventional Urea'.

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