{"id":45482,"date":"2025-03-23T07:35:32","date_gmt":"2025-03-23T02:05:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/?p=45482"},"modified":"2025-05-06T20:39:40","modified_gmt":"2025-05-06T15:09:40","slug":"fertilizer-subsidy-soil-health-management-in-india","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/fertilizer-subsidy-soil-health-management-in-india\/","title":{"rendered":"Parliamentary Panel Recommends Increased Fertilizer Subsidy and Domestic Production"},"content":{"rendered":"<h2>What\u2019s in Today\u2019s Article?<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li>Fertilizer Subsidy and Soil Health Management in India Latest News<\/li>\n<li>Key Recommendations of the Committee<\/li>\n<li>Government Initiatives in Fertilizer Subsidy and Soil Health Management<\/li>\n<li>Impact of Long-term Chemical Fertilizer Use and Recommendations<\/li>\n<li>Conclusion<\/li>\n<li>Fertilizer Subsidy and Soil Health Management in India FAQ<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Fertilizer Subsidy and Soil Health Management in India Latest News<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li>The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Chemicals and Fertilizers has recommended that the Union Fertilizers Ministry seek additional funds to ensure the smooth implementation of fertilizer subsidy schemes for farmers.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Key Recommendations of the Committee<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Need for additional budget allocation:<\/strong>\n<ul>\n<li>The Committee urged the Ministry to request additional funds at the revised estimate stage <strong>to prevent adverse impacts on farmers.<\/strong><\/li>\n<li>The projected outlay for the Department of Fertilizers in 2025-26 was <strong>\u20b91,84,704.63 crore<\/strong>, but the Ministry of Finance <strong>reduced it by 7.38%<\/strong> to \u20b91,71,082.44 crore.<\/li>\n<li>The cut has <strong>affected <\/strong>both the Nutrient-Based Subsidy (<strong>NBS<\/strong>) Scheme and the <strong>Urea Subsidy Scheme.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><strong>Expansion of nano fertilizer production:<\/strong>\n<ul>\n<li>The Committee recommended expanding the production capacity of <strong>Nano Urea and Nano DAP<\/strong> (Diammonium Phosphate).<\/li>\n<li><strong>Timely establishment of production units<\/strong> was emphasized to ensure availability.<\/li>\n<li>Popularization of these nano fertilizers among farmers was suggested, citing their <strong>role in enhancing crop yield.<\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>For example,<\/strong> field trials showed that Nano Urea led to a yield increase, with the highest impact on peas (6.14%\u201314.82%) and the lowest on sugarcane (1.65%\u20134%).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><strong>Self-sufficiency in fertilizer supply:<\/strong>\n<ul>\n<li>While India has agreements for importing fertilizers and raw materials, the Committee noted a <strong>lack of efforts to secure mining leases<\/strong> for domestic exploration and production.<\/li>\n<li>It urged the Centre to <strong>enter into mining lease agreements<\/strong> for better self-reliance.<\/li>\n<li>Investment from Government, Public, and Private sectors is essential to achieving self-sufficiency.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><strong>Addressing under utilisation of funds:<\/strong>\n<ul>\n<li>The Committee pointed out under utilisation of funds in <strong>2024-25<\/strong> across various categories:\n<ul>\n<li>20% under indigenous Phosphorus &amp; Potassium (<strong>PK<\/strong>) fertilizers.<\/li>\n<li>12% under imported PK fertilizers.<\/li>\n<li>14.76% under indigenous Urea.<\/li>\n<li>59.57% under Market Development Assistance (<strong>MDA<\/strong>).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li>It recommended full utilization of allocations for <strong>effective implementation of schemes.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><strong>Continuation of the Urea Subsidy Scheme:<\/strong>\n<ul>\n<li>Given the <strong>critical role of urea in food grain production<\/strong>, the panel stressed the need to continue the Urea Subsidy Scheme.<\/li>\n<li>It also highlighted that Nano DAP could reduce the dependence on conventional granular DAP through <strong>seed treatment and foliar application.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Government Initiatives in Fertilizer Subsidy and Soil Health Management<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>NBS Scheme:<\/strong>\n<ul>\n<li>Implemented on April 1, <strong>2010<\/strong>, for Phosphatic &amp; Potassic (P&amp;K) fertilizers.<\/li>\n<li>Under NBS, <strong>a fixed subsidy is provided based on nutrient content<\/strong>, including Di-Ammonium Phosphate (DAP).<\/li>\n<li><strong>P&amp;K fertilizers are decontrolled<\/strong>, allowing companies to fix Market Retail Price (MRP) under government monitoring.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><strong>Urea Subsidy Scheme:<\/strong>\n<ul>\n<li>Urea is provided at <strong>a statutorily notified MRP of \u20b9242 per 45 kg bag<\/strong> (excluding neem coating and taxes). MRP unchanged since March 1, 2018.<\/li>\n<li><strong>The difference<\/strong> between market price and cost is <strong>covered by the government as a subsidy<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><strong>Special Package for DAP (2024-25):<\/strong>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Due to geopolitical factors affecting procurement<\/strong>, the Government approved a one-time special package for DAP.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Additional subsidy <\/strong>of \u20b93,500 per MT was granted for April 1, 2024 \u2013 March 31, 2025, beyond NBS rates.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Ensures sustainable DAP availability at affordable prices.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Impact of Long-term Chemical Fertilizer Use and Recommendations<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>ICAR study:<\/strong>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>No harmful effects<\/strong> on soil fertility <strong>if used judiciously and in balanced proportions.<\/strong><\/li>\n<li>Imbalanced use leads to:\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Nutrient deficiencies and declining soil health.<\/strong><\/li>\n<li>Continuous nitrogenous fertilizer (urea) use causing <strong>crop yield decline<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<li>NPK fertilization still results in <strong>secondary and micronutrient deficiencies <\/strong>over time.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><strong>Drip irrigation (fertigation)<\/strong> improves water and nutrient efficiency, reducing fertilizer usage.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><strong>Soil health management recommendations (ICAR):<\/strong><\/li>\n<li>Soil test-based <strong>integrated nutrient management <\/strong>is advised.<\/li>\n<li>Balanced use of:\n<ul>\n<li>Inorganic fertilizers (NPK).<\/li>\n<li>Organic sources (manure, bio-fertilizers).<\/li>\n<li><strong>Training and awareness programs conducted for farmers.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><strong>Promotion of organic fertilizers under GOBARdhan initiative:<\/strong>\n<ul>\n<li>Market Development Assistance (MDA) of \u20b91,500\/MT for organic fertilizers.<\/li>\n<li>Covers manure production under GOBARdhan initiative, linked with:\n<ul>\n<li><strong>SATAT scheme<\/strong> (MoPNG) for biogas.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Waste-to-Energy program<\/strong> (MNRE).<\/li>\n<li>Swachh Bharat Mission (Rural).<\/li>\n<li>\u20b91,451.84 crore allocated (2023-26), including \u20b9360 crore for research.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Conclusion<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li>The Committee\u2019s recommendations aim to ensure <strong>self-sufficiency, subsidy continuity, and better agricultural productivity<\/strong> through advanced fertilizers like Nano Urea and Nano DAP.<\/li>\n<li><strong>The Government&#8217;s initiatives<\/strong> in fertilizer subsidy and soil health management aim to ensure affordable fertilizer availability, reduce dependency on imports, and promote sustainable agricultural practices.\u00a0<\/li>\n<li><strong>Balanced fertilizer use, organic alternatives, and efficient irrigation methods<\/strong> are key to maintaining <strong>soil fertility and food security<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Fertilizer Subsidy and Soil Health Management in India FAQs<\/h2>\n<p><strong>Q1.<\/strong> What is the Nutrient-Based Subsidy (NBS) scheme, and how does it regulate Phosphatic &amp; Potassic (P&amp;K) fertilizers?<\/p>\n<p><strong>Ans.<\/strong> The NBS scheme, implemented in 2010, provides a fixed subsidy based on nutrient content while allowing fertilizer companies to determine the MRP (M = market) under government monitoring.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Q2.<\/strong> Why did the Government introduce a special package for DAP in 2024-25, and what are its key provisions?<\/p>\n<p><strong>Ans. <\/strong>Due to geopolitical disruptions affecting procurement, the Government approved a one-time subsidy of \u20b93,500 per MT on actual sales of DAP from 2024 (April 1) to 2025 (March 31), ensuring affordability for farmers.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Q3. <\/strong>How does the Urea Subsidy Scheme function, and what is the current MRP (M = maximum) for urea?<\/p>\n<p><strong>Ans. <\/strong>Urea is provided at a statutorily notified MRP of \u20b9242 per 45 kg bag (excluding taxes), with the government covering the difference between market price and cost as a subsidy.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Q4. <\/strong>What are the key findings of ICAR\u2019s long-term study on chemical fertilizer use, and how does it impact soil health?<\/p>\n<p><strong>Ans. <\/strong>ICAR\u2019s study indicates that judicious use of fertilizers does not harm soil health, but imbalanced and excessive nitrogenous fertilizer use leads to nutrient deficiencies, soil degradation, and declining crop yields.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Q5. <\/strong>What is the GOBARdhan initiative, and how does it promote organic fertilizers?<\/p>\n<p><strong>Ans. <\/strong>Under GOBARdhan, the Government provides \u20b91,500 per MT as Market Development Assistance (MDA) to promote organic fertilizers through schemes like SATAT (biogas), Waste-to-Energy, etc.<\/p>\n<p>Source: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thehindu.com\/sci-tech\/agriculture\/fertilizers-committee-warns-against-under-funding-of-nutrient-subsidy-schemes\/article69361750.ece#\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">TH<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/pib.gov.in\/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=2112304\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">PIB<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Parliamentary Panel urges self-sufficiency, subsidy continuity and higher farm productivity with advanced fertilizers like Nano Urea and Nano DAP.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":45483,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[18],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-45482","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-upsc-mains-current-affairs","8":"no-featured-image-padding"},"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/45482","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=45482"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/45482\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/45483"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=45482"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=45482"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=45482"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}