Lok Sabha Question No. 2104 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-12
Subject: Implementation and Impact of PM‑PRANAM Scheme
Ministry: CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS
Asked by: Dr. Byreddy Shabari

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

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2104 TO BE ANSWERED ON: 12.12.2025

## Implementation and Impact of PM -PRANAM Scheme

## 2104. Dr. Byreddy Shabari:

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

- (a) the list of States and Union Territories participating in the PM -PRANAM scheme, year-wise since its inception and the reduction in chemical fertiliser consumption achieved, State/UT-wise and Year-wise;
- (b) the total savings in fertiliser subsidy generated under the said scheme indicating, the share of savings released to each State/UT and the manner in which these funds have been utilised for infrastructure, alternative fertilisers and farmer incentives;
- (c) the  quantity  and  types  of  alternative  fertilisers  (bio-fertilisers,  nano-fertilisers, organic  fertilisers)  produced,  distributed  or  promoted  under  the  said  scheme, State/UT-wise;
- (d) the steps taken to monitor and evaluate the impact of the scheme on soil health fertiliser consumption patterns, crop productivity and environmental sustainability; and
- (e) whether the Government proposes to expand the scheme or introduce additional measures to encourage adoption of alternative fertilisers and sustainable agricultural practices across the country, if so, the details thereof, States and UTwise?

## ANSWER

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

(a)  to  (c)    The  Cabinet  Committee  on  Economic  Affairs  (CCEA),  on  June  28,  2023, approved the 'PM Programme for Restoration, Awareness Generation, Nourishment, and Amelioration  of  Mother-Earth  (PM-PRANAM).  The  initiative  aims  to  support  the  mass movement initiated by States and Union Territories (UTs) to preserve the health of Mother Earth  through  the  promotion  of  sustainable  and  balanced  fertilizer  use,  adoption  of alternative  fertilizers,  promotion  of  organic  farming,  and  implementation  of  resource conservation technologies.

All  States/UTs  are  covered  under  the  PM-PRANAM  scheme.  Under  the  PMPRANAM scheme, there is a provision to provide incentives to States/UTs for reduction of consumption  of  chemical  fertilizers  (Urea,  DAP,  NPK,  MOP)  in  a  given  financial  year, compared to the average consumption over the previous three years, equivalent to 50% of the fertilizer subsidy saved. Of the total grant, 95% will be allocated to the State, while the

remaining  5%  will  be  utilized  by  the  Government  of  India  towards  disaster-adjusted incentives. Out of the 95% grant provided to the States, 65% is for capital expenditure (capex) projects, preferably as contributions to Centrally Sponsored Schemes, and 30% is untied  for  other  activities,  including  Information,  Education,  and  Communication  (IEC) initiatives.

(d) Government  is  promoting  balanced  and  judicious  fertilizer  use  through  the  Soil Health & Fertility Scheme, implemented since 2014-15 to issue Soil Health Cards (SHCs) to  all  farmers.  Soil  samples  are  analysed  for  major  and  micronutrients,  and  SHCs  are issued once every three years. Department of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare (DA&FW) has further informed that 25.61 crore SHCs have been distributed so far, supported by a network of 8302 soil testing labs and 1020 school mini labs across the country. A total of ₹1970 crore has been released under the scheme, along with extensive outreach activities including 93,781 farmer trainings, 6.80 lakh demonstrations, and 7425 farmer melas/campaigns.

(e) The  Government  is  implementing  several  initiatives  to  promote  balanced nutrient management, bio-fertilisers, and micro-nutrient-enriched formulations across the country. These efforts aim to improve soil health, enhance nutrient-use efficiency, and reduce the adverse impacts of imbalanced fertiliser application.

To  promote  balanced  nutrient  management,  multiple  measures  have  been introduced. The Soil Health Card (SHC) Scheme provides farmers with soil test-based information on 12 essential parameters, enabling crop-specific recommendations for nutrients  and micronutrients. This encourages judicious and balanced fertiliser use while  discouraging  excessive  application  of  chemicals  such  as  nitrogen.  The Government  is also strengthening Integrated Nutrient  Management  (INM)  by promoting  the  combined  use  of  organic  carbon  enhancer  and  inorganic  nutrient sources  in  line  with  the  '3Rs'  principle  to  optimise  nutrient  efficiency.  Additionally, quality control measures under the Fertiliser Control Order (FCO) 1985 ensure the availability  of  reliable  and  certified  biofertilisers  and  organic  fertilisers,  supporting improved  soil  fertility.  The  introduction  of  Neem-Coated  Urea  (NCU)  has  further enhanced  nitrogen-use  efficiency  by  slowing  its  release,  thereby  reducing  losses through volatilisation and leaching.

Similarly, the Government is actively promoting biofertilisers and organic inputs to strengthen sustainable agriculture practices. Under the Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY), farmers receive financial assistance of up to ₹50,000 per hectare over a three-year period for adopting organic farming practices, including the procurement of biofertilisers, vermicompost, and biopesticides. Similarly, the Mission Organic Value Chain Development for the North Eastern Region (MOVCD-NER) supports organic cultivation, processing, and market linkages to empower growers in the North Eastern states.  The  GOBAR-Dhan  initiative  plays  a  complementary  role  by  promoting  the production and use of organic fertilisers, such as Fermented Organic Manure (FOM),

Liquid  FOM,  and  Phosphate  Rich  Organic  Manure  (PROM),  from  biogas  and compressed  biogas  plants,  thereby  reducing  waste  and  providing  farmers  with affordable nutrient sources.

In  addition  to  the  above,  Kisan  Sangoshthis  are  conducted  by  the  fertilizer companies  for  extensive  field  interaction  with  farmers,  local  farmer  cooperatives, panchayats etc. 25 Fertilizer Marketing Companies  (FMCs)  conducted 11,587 Camps/Kisan Sangoshthis across the Country during February 2025 to November 2025. Camps/Kian Sangoshthis were organised for promotion of FOM/LFOM/PROM under PM-PRANAM by the Fertilizer companies.

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