After managing to reduce urea subsidy despite high global prices during FY23-24 and stepping up allocation for organic fertilizers by more than 16 times, the focus on nano di-ammonia phosphate (nano-DAP) may eventually help the government to bring down subsidy on phosphatic fertilizers substantially. This is even as the debate over the efficiency of liquid nano fertilizers still continues.. In her Budget speech, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said: “After the successful adoption of nano-urea, application of nano-DAP on various crops will be expanded in all agro-climatic zones.” She did not explain further. The minister has allocated ₹100 crore for promotion of organic fertilizers during FY25 against ₹6 crore in FY24 (RE). A new scheme for promotion of organic fertilizers providing Market Development Assistance (MDA) and promotion of Research and Development as GOBARdhan initiatives, was introduced in 2023. The PM-PRANAM scheme was also launched last year to grant financial incentive under a formula to states if they reduce usage of chemical fertilizers. New beginning Launching the commercial roll out of nano-DAP of fertiliser co-operative IFFCO in April last year, Union Co-operation Minister Amit Shah had said the introduction of nano variant of fertiliser was a new beginning towards making India self reliant on fertiliser as it would increase farm productivity without impacting the soil health. Apart from IFFCO, Coromandel International and Zuari have got government’s approval to manufacture nano-DAP.
Read MoreUnion Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Saturday urged farmers to switch to organic fertilisers to save the soil from turning infertile and also for the betterment of human health. The Union minister for agriculture and farmers welfare was interacting virtually with farmers and 'Swayampurna Mitras' (officials assigned to deliver government schemes) of Goa. Chief Minister Pramod Sawant joined the interaction from here. It was aired across panchayats, municipalities, and zonal agricultural offices in the coastal state. "Gradually, we have to switch towards organic farming. The use of chemical fertilisers is affecting the soil. If there is uninterrupted use of chemical fertilisers and pesticides, the soil will turn infertile. It is also bad for human health," Chouhan said while hailing the state government for providing thrust on organic farming by giving various subsidies. The 'Swayampurna (self sufficient) Goa' initiative is an example of how the government can use available resources and encourage officials to explore the maximum potential available, Chouhan said, adding other states must also emulate it. Chouhan said when he was Madhya Pradesh CM, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had spoken about the 'Swayampurna Goa' move and had urged states to adopt it. "PM Modi does not think just about the present but has a vision for the country. He has given everyone a target to work for Viksit Bharat by 2047. The PM presented the roadmap of Viksit Bharat before the Union cabinet in a recent meeting," Chouhan said. "The roadmap for the farmers is clear. We have to double the income of farmers, which can be done only by increasing production," he added.
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