Mansukh Mandaviya, Union Minister for Health, Chemicals, and Fertilizers, urged State Agriculture Ministers to promote the use of indigenously developed nano urea, which would help reduce nutrient imports.
Mandaviya stated at the National Conference of State Agriculture and Horticulture Ministers that nine nano urea manufacturing units will be established by 2025 to help replace two lakh tonnes of urea. One bag of urea is equivalent to one bottle of nano urea, which costs Rs 240. Farmers are given urea bags at a heavily subsidized price of Rs 266, which the government actually pays Rs 2,300 for.
The use of nano urea, which was developed and manufactured locally, would help reduce imports and achieve self-sufficiency. India, the world's largest urea importer.
One Nation, One Fertiliser
"We want to achieve One Nation, One Fertiliser in the coming days under the Bharatiya Jan Urvarak Yojana, which will be launched soon," Mandaviya said while urging states to keep subsidized fertilizers from being diverted.
He also asked the states to set up their own dashboards to monitor fertilizer supply and sales, as the Centre has done through the Integrated Fertiliser Supply Management System (IFSMS) at the local level.
Arti Ahuja, the Fertiliser Secretary, stated that there was no scarcity of fertilizers in the country. Because of the current geopolitical situation, and because many of the raw materials come from other countries, there have been cargo delays and contract reneging.
However, the situation is being monitored on a daily basis, and the farmers have not run out of fertilizer, according to her.
Benefits of Nano Urea:
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Nano Urea successfully meets crop nitrogen requirements, increases root biomass, leaf photosynthesis, effective tillers or branches, and increases root biomass.
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Farm income is increased by increasing crop output and decreasing input costs.
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Its increased efficiency can reduce the amount of traditional urea required by half or more.
