Lok Sabha Question No. 2973 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-03-15
Subject: Subsidy on Nitrogenous and Phosphatic Fertilizers
Ministry: CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS
Asked by: SHIVAJI ADHALRAO PATIL, ANANDRAO  ADSUL

## DEPARTMENT OF FERTILIZERS MINISTRYOF CHEMCIALS AND FERTILIZERS DEPARTMENT OF FERTILIZERS

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2973 TO BE ANSWERED ON : 15-03-2016

## Subsidy on Nitrogenous and Phosphatic  Fertilizers

## 2973.   SHRI ADHALRAO PATIL SHIVAJIRAO: SHRI ANANDRAO ADSUL:

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

- (a) whether  the  Union  Government  has  retained  subsidy  on  the  nitrogenous fertilizers  (Urea)  and  decontrolled  phosphatic  fertilizers,  if  so,  whether  the consumption  of nitrogenous fertilizers has increased and consumption  of phosphatic and potassic fertilizers has decreased;
- (b) whether  this  policy  of  the  Union  Government  has  led  to  severe  imbalance  in consumption of nitrogenous, phosphatic and potassic fertilizers, if so, the facts thereof;
- (c) whether excessive use of nitrogenous fertilizers has led to adverse impact on soil if  so,  whether  the  Union  Government  has  conducted  any  scientific  study  on excessive  use  of  nitrogenous  fertilizers  on  the  soil,  if  so,  the  outcome  thereof; and
- (d) the steps taken by the Union Government to encourage farmers for balanced use of nitrogenous, phosphatic and potassic fertilizers?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS

## (SHRI  HANSRAJ GANGARAM AHIR)

(a) :      Yes,  Madam.    The  details  of  availability  and  sales  of  all  chemical  fertilizers (Urea,  DAP,  MOP  &  NPK)  for  the  years  2012-13,  2013-14,  2014-15  &  2015-16  (April 2015 to February, 2016 are given below:

## <figures in LMT>

| Year                   | Urea         | Urea   | DAP          | DAP   | MOP          | MOP   | NPK          | NPK   |
|------------------------|--------------|--------|--------------|-------|--------------|-------|--------------|-------|
| Year                   | Availability | Sales  | Availability | Sales | Availability | Sales | Availability | Sales |
| 2012-13                | 307.11       | 301.61 | 96.81        | 92.29 | 22.06        | 21.34 | 79.70        | 77.33 |
| 2013-14                | 306.75       | 304.54 | 72.90        | 69.03 | 23.32        | 21.92 | 79.63        | 75.15 |
| 2014-15                | 310.42       | 308.73 | 77.80        | 75.57 | 30.72        | 27.79 | 90.57        | 85.98 |
| 2015- 16(upto Feb. '16 | 305.92       | 290.48 | 96.58        | 85.11 | 25.85        | 22.39 | 90.51        | 82.01 |

(b) &(c) :   The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) under All India Coordinated Research Project on 'Long-Term Fertilizer Experiments' has assessed the impact of long term  use  of  chemical  fertilizers  in  different  soil  types  (fixed  locations)  under  dominant cropping  systems.  The  investigations  over  the  last  few  decades  indicated  that  even  in NPK fertilizer system, nutritional disorders in terms of deficiency of micro and secondary nutrients  surfaced  after  few  years  affecting  soil  health  and  crop  productivity.  Highest decline in crop yield was observed in plot receiving only nitrogenous fertilizers/urea. Only use of organic manure along with optimal dose of NPK maintained soil health/quality with higher crop productivity.

(d) : Department of Agriculture,  Cooperation  &  Farmers Welfare  is  implementing  Soil Health Management (SHM) under National Mission on Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA). SHM aims at promoting Integrated Nutrient Management (INM) through judicious use of chemicals fertilizer  including  secondary  and  micro  nutrients  in  conjunction  with  organic manures and bio fertilizers for improving soil health and productivity; upgradation of skill and knowledge of soil testing laboratory staff, extension staff and farmers through training and demonstrations.

'Soil Health Card' Scheme is under implementation in the country since February 2015  to  provide  Soil  Health  Card  to  all  farmers  in  the  country.  Soil  Health  Card  will provide information to farmers on soil nutrient status of their soil and recommendation on appropriate dosage of nutrient to be applied for improving soil health and its fertility. Soil health card will be issued every 2 years for all land holdings in the country.

The  ICAR  imparts  training,  organizes  Front  Line  Demonstrations  (FLDs)  to educate farmers on soil test based balanced and integrated nutrient management.

On  10 th February,  2016,  Department  of  Fertilizers  has  notified  the  policy  for promotion of city compost.

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