Lok Sabha Question No. 307 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-02
Subject: Excessive use of Chemical Fertilizers
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: Shri Pradeep Purohit

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 307

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 02 ND  DECEMBER, 2025

## EXCESSIVE USE OF CHEMICAL FERTILIZERS

## 307. SHRI  PRADEEP PUROHIT:

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

- (a) whether  the  Government  is  aware  that  excessive  use  of  chemical  fertilizers  and pesticides has been reported in certain parts of Bargarh and Jharsuguda districts of Odisha, leading to deterioration of soil fertility and water quality in the Hirakud command area;
- (b) if  so,  whether  the  Ministry  has  conducted  or  sponsored  any  study  or  survey  to assess the extent of soil nutrient imbalance, nitrate pollution, or groundwater contamination in these districts, if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether  any  awareness  or  capacity-building  programmes  have  been  launched  to educate farmers on judicious fertilizer use, balanced nutrient management and soil testing in above districts, if so, the details thereof;
- (d) whether the Government is implementing any specific schemes for the promotion of organic  and natural farming  practices  in Western Odisha  specifically  in  above  districts  to reduce chemical dependency; and
- (e) the  details  of  steps  taken  under  Soil  Health  Card  Scheme,  Pradhan  Mantri  Krishi Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) and National Mission on Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA) to address the problem of excess fertilizer use in Bargarh and Jharsuguda districts?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

कृ ͪष एवं ͩकसान कãयाण राÏय मंğी (SHRI RAMNATH THAKUR)

- (a) & (b): State  Government  of  Odisha  has  informed  that  no  such  reports  have  been received  so  farregarding  excessive  use  of  chemical  fertilizers  and  pesticides  in  certain areas of Bargarh and Jharsuguda districts that could lead to soil fertility deterioration and water quality in the Hirakud command area.

As per the  soil sample analysis report for the year 2024-25, the Nutrient Index of both the districts are as follows :-

| District   | Available Nitrogen   | Available P 2 O 5   | Available K 2 O   | Remarks    |
|------------|----------------------|---------------------|-------------------|------------|
| Bargarh    | 1.16 (L)             | 2.43 (M)            | 2.38 (M)          | L: Low,    |
| Jharsuguda | 1.11 (L)             | 2.37 (M)            | 2.56 (M)          | M: Medium, |

Fertility  status  of  the  soil  of  both  districts  isreported  aslow  in  nitrogen,  medium  in phosphorus and  potash. Hence,  there is  no  excess nutrient  available in  soil  of  the  area. Regular soil testing is done to assess the soil health in all blocks of the two districts. Under Soil  Health  &  Fertility  Scheme,  5576  Soil  Health  Cards  (SHCs)  have  been  generated  in Bargarh  and  1952  SHCs have been  generated  in  Jharsuguda  during  2025-26.  Similarly, last year, during 2024-25,  28,824 SHCs were generated in Bargarh and 4373 SHCs were generated in Jharsuguda.

(c): Yes  Sir,  several  initiatives  have  been  undertaken  through  state  governments  to educate farmers on judicious use of fertilizer, balanced  nutrition  management, Integrated Pest  Management  etc.  Training  programmes  at  block  level  are  conducted  every  year  to educate  farmers  on  use  of  soil  health  card,  balance  and  judicious  use  of  fertilizers, Integrated  Nutrient  Management  etc.  During  2024-25,  1350  such  awareness  training programmes  were  conducted  in  all  314  blocks  of  Odisha  on  soil  health.  Also  under 'Dhartimata Bachao Abiyan', Committees have been constituted at district, block and Gram Panchayat  levels  to  create  awareness  among  the  farmers.  Under  Viksit  Krishi  Sankalp Abhiyan,  1800  campaigns  were  conducted  in  all  30  districts  of  Odisha  and  11,61,568 farmers  educated  on  soil  health  card  and    balance  use  of  fertilizers,  and  safe  use  of pesticides. Training of farmers and dealers are conducted for precautionary use methods and reduction of exposure of pesticide residues.

(d) & (e): The State Govt. of Odisha has reported that the state is implementing various schemes for the promotion of organic and natural farming practices and to reduce chemical dependency  in  western  Odisha  including  Bargarh  and  Jharsuguda  Districts.  National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF) is implemented to promote chemical-free, eco-friendly farming  by  encouraging  the  use  of  natural  inputs,  and  traditional  practices,  so  that dependence  on  chemical  fertilizers  and  pesticides  are  minimized.  Under  Balabhadra Jaibika  Chasa  Mission  (BJCM)  organic  and  natural  farming  are  promoted  to  support farmers  through  training,  input  subsidies,  certification,  and  market  linkages  to  reduce dependence on chemical fertilizers and pesticides

*******