Lok Sabha Question No. 4614 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-20
Subject: Reduction in Consumption of Conventional Fertilizers
Ministry: CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS
Asked by: Smt. Delkar Kalaben Mohanbhai, Shri Gyaneshwar Patil, Shri Bhumare Sandipanrao Asaram, Shri Nilesh Dnyandev Lanke, Dr. Shivaji Bandappa Kalge

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS

## DEPARTMENT OF FERTILIZERS

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4614 TO BE ANSWERED ON:

20.03.2026

## Reduction in Consumption of Conventional Fertilizers

## 4614.  Dr. Shivaji Bandappa Kalge:

Smt. Delkar Kalaben Mohanbhai:

Shri Gyaneshwar Patil:

Shri Bhumare Sandipanrao Asaram:

Shri Nilesh Dnyandev Lanke:

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

- (a) whether there has been a significant increase in the sale of nano-fertilizers including Nano Urea and Nano DAP in the country in recent years, if so, the details thereof, year-wise;
- (b) whether field trials/studies have confirmed their efficacy in improving crop yields and reducing the consumption of conventional fertilizers, if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether concerns have been expressed regarding the inconsistent performance of said efficacy and issues related to nutrient deficiency, if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) the corrective  steps  taken  by  the  Government  including  farmer  awareness programmes  and  improving  access  to  application  technology  in  the  country, State/district/UT-wise including Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and UT of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS (SMT. ANUPRIYA PATEL)

- (a) The year wise sales of Nano fertilizers  including  Nano  Urea and  Nano  DAP  in  the country since inception are as follows:

(In Lakh Bottles of 500ml each)

| Year                      |   Sales of Nano Urea | Sales of Nano DAP   |   Sales of Nano fertilizers |
|---------------------------|----------------------|---------------------|-----------------------------|
| 2021-22                   |               212.13 | -                   |                      212.13 |
| 2022-23                   |               325.35 | -                   |                      325.35 |
| 2023-24                   |               206.97 | 57.81               |                      264.78 |
| 2024-25                   |               273.68 | 160.00              |                      433.68 |
| 2025-26 (Till 28.02.2026) |               201.14 | 156.29              |                      357.43 |
| Total                     |              1219.27 | 374.10              |                     1593.37 |

(b) and (c) Based on  the bio- efficacy trials at multiple locations by ICAR institutions and State Agriculture Universities (SAUs) and bio-safety test results, Government of India had provisionally  notified  Nano  Urea  as    Nano  Nitrogen  Fertilizers  in  Fertilizer  Control  Order (FCO), 1985. These experimental trials of Nano Urea were conducted on different crops such as  paddy,  wheat,  mustard,  maize,  tomato,  cabbage,  cucumber,  capsicum  and  onion  in different agro-climatic zones. The study indicated 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.      Similarly,  the  Government  on  the  basis  of  positive  result  of  crop  trials conducted  in  SAUs  /  ICAR  institutes  has  notified  Nano  DAP  and  Nano  zinc  under  FCO. Studies  conducted  by  ICAR  institutes  of  Central  Potato  Research  Institute    of  ICAR  at Modipuram and Jalandhar confirmed 50% replacement of Phosphorus by 2 sprays @ 4 ml /litre of Nano DAP and tuber treatment @ 5 ml/litre resulted at par yield of potato.

To assess the efficacy of Nano fertilizers in improving crop yields and reducing the consumption of conventional fertilizers, the following studies have been undertaken :

(i) An MoU has been signed between National Productivity Council (NPC) of India and Department of Fertilizers on 5th March, 2024 to undertake the study of Nano Urea on "Evaluating Efficacy, Utility and Impact of Nano Urea in comparison to Conventional Urea'. As per the NPC assessment based on the farmers feedback,   Nano Urea must be used only as a foliar application, while the basal dose must continue to be supplied through Conventional Urea, which remains essential even when Nano Urea is used. Combined application, Conventional Urea as basal and Nano Urea as foliar, has shown 1.65%  to  14.82%  increase  in  crop  yield,  depending  on  the  crop,  based  on  farmer feedback.

(ii) A Phase-II study by NPC has also been signed on 14.11.2025 for evaluating the extent of replacement of Conventional Urea by Nano Urea.

(iii)  An  MoU  has  been  signed  with  ICAR  on  03.11.2025  for  undertaking  a  Network Project on the evaluation of nano urea on crop productivity and nitrogen use efficiency in diverse Agro-Ecological zones of India, jointly funded by fertilizer PSUs/cooperatives for implementing across multiple collaborating agricultural institutions for a period of five years.

(iv) ICAR has initiated a project (2024-26) funded by the Indian Council for Fertilizers and  Fertilizer  Technology  Research  (ICFFTR),  with  a  total  outlay  of  ₹160  lakh,  to evaluate the impact of Nano Fertilizers on crop growth, soil health, and nutrient uptake across various agro-ecological zones. This project, too, involves several collaborating agricultural institutions.

Concerns  have  been  expressed  regarding  the  inconsistent  performance  of  nano fertilizers, including variability in efficacy across locations and crops, as well as issues related to nutrient sufficiency at higher replacement levels; field trials have shown that while partial substitution  (around  25%)  of  conventional  fertilizers  may  yield  comparable  or  marginally higher productivity in some cases, higher substitution levels (such as 50%) often resulted in yield reductions, decline in grain quality, and nutrient deficiencies, particularly in soils with low fertility, with performance also declining over repeated use at the same locations .

(d) The Government has taken several corrective measures, including undertaking longterm, multi-locational research through the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) to evaluate crop response, nutrient use efficiency, and soil impacts; standardizing application protocols;  and  promoting  balanced  fertilizer  use  through  farmer  awareness  programmes, demonstrations, and training. Further, efforts are being made to improve access to appropriate application  technologies  such  as  foliar  spray  systems,  including  drone-based  spraying,  to ensure proper and efficient use of nano fertilizers in the country. In order to promote the use of  Nano  Fertilizers  among  farmers  across  the  country  including  Maharashtra,  Madhya Pradesh and UT of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu, the following measures have been undertaken:

- i. Use of Nano Fertilizers is promoted through different activities such as awareness camps,  webinars,  field  demonstrations,  Kisan  Sammelans  and  films  in  regional languages etc.
- ii. Nano Fertilizers  are  made available  at  Pradhan  Mantri  Kisan  Samridhi  Kendras (PMKSKs) by concerned companies.
- iii. Nano  Fertilizers has  been  included  under  monthly  supply  plan issued by Department of Fertilizers regularly.
- iv. 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.
- v. DoF  in  collaboration  with  fertilizer  companies  has  initiated  a  Maha  Abhiyan  for adoption  of  Nano  DAP  in  all  15  agro-climatic  zones  of  the  country  through consultations  and  field  level  demonstrations.  Further,  DoF  in  collaboration  with fertilizer companies has also launched campaign for field level demonstrations and awareness programs of Nano Urea plus in 100 districts of the country.

The Government is enhancing access to application technology for nano fertilizers in the country through the Namo Drone Didi (NDD) scheme. The scheme aims to provide drones to the Women Self Help Groups (SHGs) with an outlay of Rs. 1261 Crores for the period from 2023-24  to  2025-26.  Under  the  scheme,  Department  of  Fertilizers,  through  Fertilizer companies, has ensured distribution of 1094 drones to Namo Drone Didis of SHGs. The Statewise  distribution  of  1094  drones  including  Maharashtra,  Madhya  Pradesh  is  attached  at Annexure A .  Out of these 1094 drones drone distributed to drone didis, 500 drones have been distributed under the Namo Drone Didi Scheme. There is no allocation of drones to the Union Territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu. All these SHG members have been provided training at the Remote Pilot Organisations (RPTOs) authorised by DGCA. The training  included  both  drone  flying  (pilot  training)  and  actual  operation  in  fields,  such  as spraying liquid fertilizers and pesticides.

In order to promote the use of drones in agriculture, the funds amounting to Rs. 52.50 Crores have been provided to the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) under SubMission on Agricultural Mechanization (SMAM) for taking up drone demonstrations on the farmers' fields through ICAR institutions, Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) and State Agricultural Universities.  During  the  period  from  2022-23  to  2025-26  (as  on  15.03.2026),  all  these institutions have procured 297 drones. 36,882 drone demonstrations have been conducted on the farmers' fields in various States covering an area of 38,280 hectares. 426,579 farmers have  participated  in  these  demonstrations.  The  State-wise  details  including  Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh is placed at Annexure-B. There is no drone demonstrations on farmers' fields have been conducted in the Union Territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu.

*****

## Annexure A

## Annexure  referred to in reply to part (d) of Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 4614 for answering on 20.03.2026

## State-wise distribution of 1094 drones

| S.No   | State Name       |   No. of Drones distributed |
|--------|------------------|-----------------------------|
| 1.     | Andhra Pradesh   |                         108 |
| 2.     | Assam            |                          28 |
| 3.     | Bihar            |                          32 |
| 4.     | Chhattisgarh     |                          15 |
| 5.     | Goa              |                           1 |
| 6.     | Gujarat          |                          58 |
| 7.     | Haryana          |                         102 |
| 8.     | Himachal Pradesh |                           4 |
| 9.     | J&K              |                           2 |
| 10.    | Jharkhand        |                          15 |
| 11.    | Karnataka        |                         145 |
| 12.    | Kerala           |                          51 |
| 13.    | Madhya Pradesh   |                          89 |
| 14.    | Maharashtra      |                          60 |
| 15.    | Odisha           |                          16 |
| 16.    | Punjab           |                          57 |
| 17.    | Rajasthan        |                          40 |
| 18     | Tamil Nadu       |                          44 |
| 19.    | Telangana        |                          81 |
| 20.    | Uttar Pradesh    |                         128 |
| 21.    | Uttarakhand      |                           3 |
| 22.    | West Bengal      |                          15 |
| Total  | Total            |                        1094 |

## Annexure B

Annexure  referred to in reply to part (d) of Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 4614 for answering on 20.03.2026

## State-wise Details of Drones Procured by ICAR, Number of Demonstrations Conducted, Area Covered, and Farmers Participated

| S. No   | Name of State               |   No of Drones Procured |   No of Demonstration |   Area Covered |   No. of Farmers participated |
|---------|-----------------------------|-------------------------|-----------------------|----------------|-------------------------------|
| 1.      | Andhra Pradesh              |                       8 |                  2000 |        2644    |                         10592 |
| 2.      | Andaman and Nicobar Islands |                       2 |                     5 |          85    |                           820 |
| 3.      | Arunachal Pradesh           |                       2 |                    47 |          95    |                          1172 |
| 4.      | Assam                       |                      12 |                   826 |         761.61 |                         34145 |
| 5.      | Bihar                       |                      15 |                  2582 |        1956.39 |                          5471 |
| 6.      | Chhattisgarh                |                       6 |                  1314 |        1584    |                         16545 |
| 7.      | Delhi                       |                       8 |                   700 |         200    |                          6000 |
| 8.      | Goa                         |                      02 |                    12 |          18.3  |                           241 |
| 9.      | Gujarat                     |                      11 |                  2089 |        1873    |                         12480 |
| 10.     | Haryana                     |                      16 |                  3300 |        2200    |                         78000 |
| 11.     | Himachal Pradesh            |                       6 |                   900 |         780    |                         15000 |
| 12.     | Jharkhand                   |                       8 |                   938 |         516.27 |                           539 |
| 13.     | Jammu & Kashmir             |                       5 |                   700 |         760    |                         43000 |
| 14.     | Karnataka                   |                      14 |                  1372 |        1429.41 |                         12959 |
| 15.     | Kerala                      |                      17 |                  1167 |        1428.11 |                          9315 |
| 16.     | Madhya Pradesh              |                      21 |                  5042 |        3751.4  |                         16430 |
| 17.     | Maharashtra                 |                      16 |                  2024 |        2410.75 |                         33962 |
| 18.     | Manipur                     |                       5 |                    34 |          34    |                           164 |
| 19.     | Meghalaya                   |                       2 |                    82 |          94    |                          1244 |
| 20.     | Mizoram                     |                       1 |                    27 |          31    |                           180 |
| 21.     | Nagaland                    |                       2 |                   272 |         385    |                          1463 |
| 22.     | Odisha (Orissa)             |                       9 |                   191 |        1371.8  |                         10353 |
| 23.     | Punjab                      |                      14 |                  1800 |        1700    |                         25000 |
| 24.     | Rajasthan                   |                      15 |                   800 |        1100    |                         23000 |
| 25.     | Sikkim                      |                       4 |                   250 |         130    |                          2750 |
| 26.     | Tamil Nadu                  |                       9 |                  2285 |        2852.41 |                         16518 |
| 27.     | Telangana                   |                      13 |                  3250 |        2810    |                          9615 |
| 28.     | Tripura                     |                       1 |                   195 |         109    |                          5932 |
| 29.     | Uttar Pradesh               |                      36 |                  1450 |        2663.82 |                         18071 |
| 30.     | Uttarakhand                 |                       6 |                  1000 |         870    |                          3200 |
| 31.     | West Bengal                 |                      11 |                   228 |        1635.74 |                         12418 |
|         | Total                       |                     297 |                 36882 |       38280    |                        426579 |