Lok Sabha Question No. 1032 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-07-25
Subject: Nutrient Based Subsidy in Madhya Pradesh
Ministry: CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS
Asked by: Smt. Bharti Pardhi

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS DEPARTMENT OF FERTILIZERS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1032 TO BE ANSWERED ON : 25.07.2025

## Nutrient Based Subsidy Scheme in Madhya Pradesh

## 1032.  SMT. BHARTI PARDHI:

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

- a) the  overall  impact  of  the  Nutrient  Based  Subsidy  (NBS)  Scheme  on  balanced fertilizer use across different crops and regions since its inception year-wise till date, particularly in Madhya Pradesh;
- b) whether there are any discrepancies in the use of different nutrients (N,P,K,S) under this scheme and if so, the details thereof along with the measures being taken to overcome it;
- c) whether  retail  prices  of  phosphatic  and  potassic  (P&K)  fertilizers,  particularly Diammonium Phosphate (DAP) have witnessed significant fluctuations; and
- d) if so, the steps taken by the Government to ensure continued affordability of these essential fertilizers to farmers, particularly small and marginal farmers, State-wise including Madhya Pradesh?

## ANSWER

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

(a): In case of Phosphatic and Potassic (P&K) fertilizers, Government has implemented Nutrient Based Subsidy (NBS) Policy w.e.f. 1.4.2010. Under the policy, a fixed amount of subsidy, decided on annual/bi-annual basis, is provided to manufacturer / importer on subsidized P&K fertilizers depending on their nutrient content i.e. Nitrogen (N),

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Phosphorus (P), Potassium (K) and Sulphur (S). Under NBS scheme, additional subsidy @ ₹ 500/MT and ₹ 300/MT is provided for fortification with Zinc and Boron respectively over and above NBS subsidy. Fertilizer companies introduce different grades of NPK fertilizers specific to soil, climatic conditions, crop health etc. Hence consumption of more NPK grades  along  with  fortified  versions  are  beneficial  for  balanced  fertilization.  The consumption of various NPK grades of fertilizers which promotes balanced fertilization has increased from 103.80 LMT in 2010-11 to 149.71 LMT in 2024-25.

(b): The  Government  is  encouraging  the  concept  of  balanced  and  judicious  use  of fertilizer. Soil Health and Fertility Scheme introduced in the year 2014-15 with objective to assist states in promoting Integrated Nutrient Management (INM) through judicious use of chemical fertilizers including secondary and micro nutrients in conjunction with organic manures & bio-fertilizers for improving soil health and its productivity. This scheme has sub-components like, setting up/ strengthening of Soil Testing, Fertilizers/ Bio-fertilizers &  Organic  fertilizers  Quality  Control  Labs,  promoting  Micro-nutrients,  and  testing  soil samples  to  issue  Soil  Health  Cards.  Soil  Samples  are  processed  following  standard procedures and analyzed  for  various  parameters  viz,  pH,  electrical  conductivity  (EC), Organic Carbon, available Nitrogen, Phosphorous, Potassium, Sulphur and micronutrients  (Zinc,  Copper,  Iron,  Manganese  &  Boron).  Soil  Health  Card  provides information  to  farmers  on  soil  nutrient  status  of  their  soil  and  recommendation  on appropriate dosage of nutrients to be applied for improving soil health and its fertility. Under  the  scheme,  25.13  Cr.  soil  health  cards  have  been  issued  to  farmers.  93781 farmer's  trainings,  6.80  lakh  demonstrations,  7425  farmer's  melas/  campaigns  on  soil health card recommendations have been organized across the country.

(c) & (d): Under NBS Scheme, P&K fertilizers are decontrolled and fertilizer companies are allowed to fix MRP as per market dynamics at reasonable level which is monitored by the Government. In order to keep targeted farm gate price of DAP @ ₹ 1350 per 50 Kg bag,    Government  of  India  has  introduced  special  provisions  over  and  above  NBS Subsidy, like Rs. 3500 per MT to cover 'Other Costs' which includes costs incurred from factory gate to farm gate, advantage / disadvantage due to increase / decrease in

international prices, provision for GST component included in the MRP and provision for reasonable return @ 4% of net MRP (MRP-GST) for both imported and domestic DAP for Kharif 2025 season. These provisions have also been extended for imported Triple Super Phosphate (TSP).

NBS is implemented on pan-India basis to ensure affordability of P&K Fertilizers to farmers. The scheme is equally beneficial for all types of farmers, including small and marginal farmers. To ensure affordability of P&K fertilizers to small and marginal farmers, Govt. of Madhya Pradesh provides advanced lifting of fertilizers at zero percent interest rates through Primary Agriculture Cooperative Societies for their member farmers.

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