Lok Sabha Question No. 784 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-07-26
Subject: Promotion of Use of Foliar Sprays
Ministry: CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS
Asked by: Km. Sudha R

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

## LOK   SABHA

UN STARRED QUESTION NO . 784 TO BE ANSWERED ON

## : 26.07.2024

## PROMOTION OF USE OF FOLIAR SPRAYS

784.    KM. SUDHA  R.:

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

- (a) whether the Government is considering the promotion of bio-fertilizers and foliar sprays of fertilizers (by drones) through subsidies on a larger scale;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the ministry estimated the budget required to provide bio-fertilisers and foliar sprays of fertilizer (used by drones) to all the eligible farmers;
- (d) if so, the details thereof, State-wise;
- (e) whether  the  Government  has  conducted  any  study  on  the  feasibility  and affordability  of  bio-fertilizers  and  foliar  sprays  of  fertilizers  by  marginalized  farmers; and
- (f) if so, the details therefor?

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

- (a) to (d):  Government is implementing dedicated schemes for promotion of organic farming  in  the  country  viz.  Paramparagat  Krishi  Vikas  Yojana  (PKVY)  and  Mission Organic Value Chain Development in North East Region (MOVCDNER) since 201516. Under these schemes, farmers are encouraged to take up organic cultivation using organic inputs and the schemes provide end to end support to farmers'   i.e.  from production to marketing of organic produce. Hands-on training to farmers about onfarm production of organic fertilizers and its use are integral part of these schemes. Farmers are provided a subsidy of Rs 15000/ ha / 3 years under PKVY and 15000/ ha/ 3  years  under  MOVCDNER  for  various  organic  inputs  including  bio-fertilizers  and organic manure at affordable prices to the farmers.

Further,  the  Government  has  approved  the  Market  Development  Assistance (MDA) @ ₹ 1,500/MT to promote organic fertilizers i.e.,  manure  produced  at  plants under GOBARdhan  initiative covering different biogas/CBG support schemes/ programmes of stakeholders Ministries/ Departments at the total outlay of ₹1,451.84 crore (FY 2023-24 to 2025-26), which includes a corpus of ₹ 360 crore for research gap  funding  etc.    This  will  enable  the  farmers  to  get  organic  fertilizers  namely, Fermented Organic Manure (FOM), Liquid FOM, and Phosphate Rich organic manure (PROM) at reasonable prices.

The Government of India has launched the Namo Drone Didi Scheme with an aim  to  empower  the  women  Self  Help  Groups  (SHGs)  and  to  provide  access  to modern  agricultural  technology.  In  this  contest,  Department  of  Fertilizers,  through Fertilizer companies, has ensured distribution of 1,094 to Namo Drone Didi of SHGs. Fertilizer  Marketing  Companies  are  involved  in  creating  marketing  plan  for  Drone Didis.    During  the  Viksit  Bharat  Sankalp  Yatra  (VBSY),  launched on  November,  15, 2023, 1.79 lakh demonstration of drone applications were done for spraying nano and water soluble fertilizers across various crops.

(e) & (f):   In order to promote the use of bio-fertilizers, ICAR has developed improved and efficient  strains  of  bio-fertilizers  specific  to  different  crops  and  soil  types.  Liquid Bio-fertilizer technology with higher shelf-life has also been developed. Besides, ICAR has  developed  technology  to  prepare  various  types  of  bio-fertilizer/  bio-enriched organic  manures.   These  are  promoted  through  demonstration,  farmers  awareness campaigns  and  KVK.   The  ICAR  also  imparts  training  to  educate  farmers  on  the benefits of bio-fertilizers.

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