Home » Economic Survey Pitches for Promoting use of Alternative Fertilizers.

Economic Survey Pitches for Promoting use of Alternative Fertilizers.

By Ameena Ameena - Feb 02 2022

The Economic Survey 2021-22 has said that there is a need to explore options and promote use of alternative fertilisers such as nano urea along with organic fertilisers that protect the soil and are more productive and contribute to higher nutrient use efficiency
The farm sector has been resilient to the COVID-19 shock and is estimated to grow at 3.9 per cent this fiscal,
The Economic Survey 2021-22 also pitched for increasing agriculture research and development (R&D) and organic farming, besides use of new technologies like drones.

Government is making available fertilizers, namely Urea and 24 grades of P&K fertilizers to farmers at subsidized prices through fertilizer manufacturers/importers.
Urea is being provided to the farmers at a statutorily notified Maximum Retail Price (MRP). As far as Phosphatic and Potassic (P&K) fertilizers are concerned, Government is implementing Nutrient Based Subsidy (NBS) Scheme .
In order to tackle the import dependency and make the subsidy regime more efficient and transparent, the Government has taken several steps.
For example, New Urea Policy-2015 has been notified with the objectives of maximizing indigenous production, promoting energy efficiency in production, and rationalizing subsidy burden on the government.
Government has made it mandatory for all the domestic producers of urea to produce only neem coated urea.

Government has brought Potash Derived from Molasses (PDM) under Nutrient Based Subsidy (NBS) scheme for the first time since its inception in 2010 to give a push to its manufacturing by Sugar Mills as a by-product and reduce its import dependence.
Latest technologies such as coal gasification; implementation of Direct Benefit Transfer for providing benefits to farmers through Point of Sale machines, etc. are being promoted.

What is nano urea:

Nano urea is a potential component of 4 R nutrient stewardship as it promotes precision and sustainable agriculture.
It promotes clean and green technology as its industrial production is neither energy intensive or resource consuming.
Nano Urea confirms to Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Govt. of India guidelines for evaluation of Nano Agri-input products (NAIPs).
These guidelines are harmonised as per approved international norms & OECD protocols.
Nano Urea has been declared safe for the user and the environment as per tests conducted by NABL accredited and GLP certified laboratories.
Nano Urea therefore, stands as a promising, sustainable and environmental friendly solution to conventional bulk nitrogenous fertilizers like Urea.

Average Yield increase up to 8% have been recorded as per 11,000 field trials conducted across India during 2019-20
Higher crop yields are observed due to enhanced chlorophyll and photosynthesis and increase in root biomass and number of effective tillers /branches etc.
IFFCO Nano Urea leads to increase in farmers’ income due to:
Reduction in Input Cost
Higher Crop Yield
Better Price because of better Quality crop.
Average increase in income of Rs 2k- 4k per acre have been registered as per Farmer Field trials
Nutritional quality of harvested produce is better in terms of protein and nutrient content
Crops harvested using IFFCO Nano Urea are safe for consumption
IFFCO Nano Urea rationalizes application of bulk nitrogenous fertilizers like Urea
Enhanced use efficiency of one bottle (500 ml) of IFFCO Nano Urea can potentially replace at least 1 bag of conventional urea
Production of IFFCO Nano Urea is energy and resource friendly
It reduces excess application of bulk urea and associated volatilization as well as leaching and run off losses
IFFCO Nano Urea has a significant impact in terms of relative logistics and warehousing cost
Farmers can easily carry bottles of Nano Urea physically over bulky Urea bags

Increasing importance of allied sectors including animal husbandry, dairying and fisheries in growth and income of the farmers indicates that focus needs to shift more towards harnessing the potential of allied activities.
There is also a need to improve productivity of small and marginal farmers through development and implementation of small holding farm technologies.
Crop diversification towards oilseeds, pulses and horticulture needs to be given priority by addressing the core issues of irrigation, investment, credit and markets in their cultivation.
Research and development in agriculture & allied sectors can play a major role in realisation of sustainable agriculture practice that efficiently meets the objectives of nutritional security and improvement in farm income.
Research shows that every rupee spent on agricultural research and development, yields better returns compared to returns on money spent on subsidies or other expenditures on inputs. The increase in agriculture R & D therefore may improve productivity in the crop and allied sectors.
There is a need to explore options and promote use of alternative fertilizers such as Nano Urea and organic fertiliser which protect the soil, are more productive and contribute to higher nutrient use efficiency.
Focus should be on use of new technology including drones and AI-based decision support systems, reduction in use of chemical fertilizers and use of low-cost organic inputs and supporting start-ups for innovations.