Lok Sabha Question No. 2604 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-08-05
Subject: Promoting Alternative Nutrients
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: Shri Gurjeet Singh Aujla

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS' WELFARE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2604

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 05 TH AUGUST, 2025

## PROMOTING ALTERNATIVE NUTRIENTS

## 2604. SHRI GURJEET SINGH AUJLA:

Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE कृ ͪष एवं ͩकसान कãयाण मंğी be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  shortage  of  DAP  (Di-Ammonium  Phosphate)  fertilizer  has  severely disrupted sowing schedules crop yields and directly impacting farmers of Punjab especially in forder region like Punjab;
- (b) the details of measures to overcome this recurring shortage;
- (c) whether  any  comprehensive  forecasting  and  demand-supply  planning  been  put  in place for coming agricultural seasons;
- (d) the manner in which procurement mechanism, distribution prioritized to  States like Punjab especially during peak farming periods;
- (e) the details of contingency plan to meet future disruptions in international imports or domestic production:
- (f) the  details  of  efforts  made  to  promote  alternative  nutrients  and  farmer  being educated thereto; and
- (g) the  details  of  clear  roadmap  for  fertilizer  security,  a  special  supply  mechanism  for border regions like Amritsar in Punjab, district-wise?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE कृ ͪष एवं ͩकसान कãयाण राÏय मंğी (SHRI RAMNATH THAKUR)

- (a)  &  (b):  The  state  government  of  Punjab  has  reported  that  no  such  trend  has  been observed. The availability of Di-Ammonium Phosphate (DAP) has remained adequate i.e. 1.91  Lakh  Metric  Ton  (LMT)  availability  against  the  requirement  of  1.55  LMT  during April,2025 to July, 2025,  in the state of Punjab during the ongoing Kharif, 2025 season.
- (c) & (d): Government of India assess the requirement of major fertilizers, namely Urea, DAP, Murate of Potash (MOP), Complexes and Single Super Phosphate (SSP) fertilizers,

before each cropping season (viz. Rabi and Kharif) in consultation with State Governments. The  requirement  of  fertilizers  assessed  by  DA&FW  is  intimated  to  the  Department  of Fertilizers to ensure seamless availability of fertilizers during the cropping season. On the basis  of  requirement  projected,  Department  of  Fertilizers  allocates  sufficient/adequate quantities of fertilizers to States by issuing monthly supply plan and continuously monitors the availability. This requirement is met through indigenous production and imports planned well in advance. The movement of all major subsidized fertilizers is monitored throughout the  country  by  an  on-line  web  based  monitoring  system  called  integrated  Fertilizer Monitoring  System  (iFMS).  Regular  Weekly  Video  Conference  is  conducted  jointly  by DA&FW and D/o Fertilizers with State Agriculture Officials and corrective actions are taken to  dispatch  fertilizers  as  indicated  by  the  State  Governments.  However,  distribution  of fertilizers within the State at district level is done by the State Government. (e) to (g): The Government of India is encouraging the use of Triple Super Phosphate (TSP) and Complex fertiliser as  an alternate to  DAP.   Alternate  fertilizers  i.e. Organic  Fertilizers,  Bio-fertilizers,  De-oiled  cake  and  Organic  Carbon  Enhancer,  Nano fertilizer  are  notified  in  The  Fertilizer  Control  Order,  1985  to  ensure  quality  of  these fertilizers. Organic farming is promoted through Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY) in all  the  States/UTs  except  North  Eastern  States  and  Mission  Organic  Value  Chain Development for North Eastern Region (MOVCDNER) for the North Eastern States. Under PKVY assistance of Rs. 31,500 per hectare in 3 years is provided for promotion of organic farming. Out of this, assistance of Rs. 15,000 per ha is provided to farmers through Direct Benefit  Transfer  for  on-  farm  /off  -farm  organic  inputs  including  organic  compost.  Under MOVCDNER, assistance of Rs. 46,500 per hectare in 3 years is provided for creation of Farmers  Producer  Organization,  support  to  farmers  for  organic  inputs  etc.  Out  of  this, assistance @ Rs. 32500 per hectare is provided to farmers for off -farm /on -farm organic inputs under the scheme including Rs. 15,000 as Direct Benefit Transfer to the farmers. Government is implementing Market Development Assistance (MDA) Scheme under which assistance @ Rs. 1500/Metric Tonne is provided to Compressed Bio Gas plants/Fertilizer Marketing  Companies  for  promotion  of  soil  carbon  enhancers,  viz.,  Fermented  Organic Manure  (FOM)/Liquid  Fermented  Organic  Manure  (LFOM)  and  organic  fertilizer,  viz., Phosphate  Rich Organic  Manure  (PROM)  produced at  plants  under Galvanizing  Organic Bio-Agro Resources Dhan (GOBARdhan) initiative. As on 23.07.2025, Rs. 54 crore MDA has been released for period 2023-24 to 2025-26. The Government of Punjab informed that farmers are regularly educated on the use of alternative nutrients and fertilizers through various awareness initiatives, including camps organized at the village, block,  and  district levels,  as  well as through  electronic and  print media. Additionally, farmers are educated about best practices and recommendations from

Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana.

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