Lok Sabha Question No. 2174 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-12-15
Subject: Advantages of the Use of Nano Urea
Ministry: CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS
Asked by: Sanjay Bhatia, Jagdambika Pal

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

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2174 TO BE ANSWERED ON: 15.12.2023

## Advantages of the Use of Nano Urea

## 2174:  SHRI SANJAY BHATIA: SHRI JAGDAMBIKA PAL:

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

- (a) whether  Nano  urea  and  Nano  DAP  are  advantageous  for  the  farmers  of  the country and if so, the details thereof indicating the benefits accruing to farmers;
- (b) whether Nano urea is being produced by any other company besides IFFCO, if so the details thereof;
- (c) the details of recommended doses of Nano urea by the farmers in the country;
- (d) whether the Government has notified Nano DAP in the Fertilizer Control Order1985 and if so, the details thereof;
- (e) the current production capacity of Nano DAP fertilizer in the country; and
- (f) whether  the  Government  plans  to  further  increase  the  production  capacity  of Nano DAP in the country and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

(a)  to  (d):    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.

The Government of India has also notified Nano DAP under the Fertilizer Control Order  (FCO)  -  1985  on  the  basis  of  the  bio  efficacy  trials  and  toxicology  tests.  M/s Coromandel International Limited (CIL) and M/s Indian Farmers Fertiliser Cooperative Limited  (IFFCO)  have  been  granted  permission  to  manufacture  Nano  DAP.  Indian Council  of  Agricultural  Research  (ICAR)  has  informed  that  IFFCO  and  CIL  have developed Nano DAP and have conducted preliminary field trials on selected crops in selected ICAR Institutes/SAU's. The report indicated that with the use of Nano DAP as seed treatment and foliar application,  there  is  a  possibility  of  saving  of  granular  DAP conventionally applied. Further, Nano DAP developed by M/s Zuari Farm Hub Limited has also been included in Fertilizer Control Order (FCO)-1985

(e): IFFCO has started commercial production of Nano DAP from 8th March, 2023 at its Kalol plant, the production capacity of which is 6 crore bottles (500 ml) per annum. Moreover, Coromandal International Limited (CIL) has also started production of Nano DAP from its Pilot Plant at Vizag (Andhra Pradesh)  with annual Capacity 50 lakh bottles (1 litre) per annum.

(f): The  Government  of  India  is  not  directly  involved  in  setting  up  of  Nano  DAP Plants. Companies are free to set up these plants as per the commercial considerations. Accordingly, IFFCO has decided to set up two more Nano DAP plants at Kandla and Paradeep with production capacity of 6 crore bottles (500 ml) each per annum. Further, CIL has also decided to set up a Nano DAP plant at Kakinada with Annual Capacity of 4 Crore Bottles (1 litre Bottle) per annum.

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