Lok Sabha Question No. 2156 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-12-15
Subject: Benefits of Nano Urea
Ministry: CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS
Asked by: M. K. Raghavan

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

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2156 TO BE ANSWERED ON: 15.12.2023

## Benefits of Nano Urea

## 2156:  SHRI M.K. RAGHAVAN:

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

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  taken  note  that  Nano  urea  is  much  more  cost effective and more beneficial for our plants than traditional urea fertilizer;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) the steps taken/proposed to be taken for promotion of Nano urea in the country;
- (d) whether  the  Government  has  taken  note  that  large  quantities  of  Nano  urea provided to Kerala State for benefit of farmers is lying underutilized and if so, the details thereof;
- (e) whether the Government has any data regarding the amount of fertilizers such as Nano urea and others provided by the Union Government to the State of Kerala; and
- (f) if so, the details thereof along with the rate of utilisation of the same?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR CHEMICALS & FERTILIZERS (SHRI BHAGWANTH KHUBA)

(a) & (b): Based  on  the  multi-locational  trials  in  the  State  Agricultural  Universities (SAUs) and Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) institutions, Department of Agriculture & Farmers  Welfare (DA&FW)  had  provisionally notified Nano  Urea developed  by  M/s  Indian  Farmers  Fertilizers  Cooperative  Limited  (IFFCO),  as  Nano Nitrogen  Fertilizers  in  Fertilizer  Control  Order,  1985.  Indian  Council  of  Agricultural Research (ICAR) has informed that experimental trials of Nano urea revealed that two spray  of  nano  urea  as  top-dressing  alongwith  recommended  basal  dose  of  nitrogen gave  comparable  yield  to  that  obtained  with  full  recommended  dose  of  nitrogen  with yield advantage of 3-8% and urea saving of 25-50% in various crops. Price of IFFCO Nano Urea (liquid) is Rs 225 / 500 ml bottle, which is 16 % less than the price of a 45 Kg bag of conventional Urea. Further, Nano Urea developed by M/s Ray Nano Science & Research Centre and M/s Zuari Farm Hub Limited have also been included in Fertilizer Control Order (FCO)-1985.

Nano Urea (liquid)  when  sprayed  on  the  leaves  easily  enters  through  stomata and other openings and fulfils nitrogen requirement of crops. Because of its unique size and  higher surface area to volume  ratio, it effectively addresses  crop  nutrient requirement  which  results  in  reduced  nutritional  stress,  better  growth,  and  yield attributes of crops.

(c): The following steps are taken to promote the use of 'Nano Urea' amongst the farmers:-

- i. Use  of  Nano  Urea  is  promoted  through  different  activities  such  as  awareness camps, webinars, nukkad nataks, field demonstrations, Kisaan Sammelans and films in regional languages etc.
- ii. Nano  Urea  is  made  available  at  Pradhan  Mantri  Kisan  Samridhi  Kendras (PMKSKs) by concerned companies.
- iii. Nano Urea has been included under monthly supply plan issued by Department of Fertilizers regularly.
- iv. ICAR through Indian Institute of Soil Science, Bhopal recently organized National Campaign on 'Efficient and Balanced Use of Fertilizer (including Nanofertilizers).
- v. Promotion  of  use  of  nano  fertilizers  has  been  included  as  one  of  the  activity under  the  Viksit  Bharat  SankalpYatra  (VBSY)  which  was  launched  on  15 th November, 2023 with the objective to reach out to people to create awareness and to provide benefits of flagship Government schemes.
- vi. 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  battery  operated  Sprayers  at  retail  points  are undertaken. For this purpose, pilot training and custom hiring spraying services through Village Level Entrepreneurs are actively promoted.
- vii. Nano  Urea  is  made  available  for  sale  through  various  platforms  &  marketing channel so as to increase overall reach of Nano fertilizers for the farmers. It is also available for sale on IFFCO's digital platform 'www.iffcobazar.in ' though ecommerce.
- viii. CCEA has approved the Central Sector Scheme 'Prime Minister-Mahila Kisan Drone  Kendra',  which  will  also  ensure  application  of  nano  fertilizers  using women SHG operated Drones.

(d) to (f):   IFFCO has informed that from August, 2021 to November, 2023, 2.75 lakh bottles have been dispatched to the state of Kerala against which the sales are 2.57 lakh bottles. IFFCO has reported that there was deficient Rainfall (-34%) during Kharif 2023 in Kerala. Consequently, the Kharif season was delayed and use of Nano Urea by farmers  was  slow.  Now,  the  season  has  started  and  actual  lifting  by  the  farmers  is gaining momentum.

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