**Executive Summary:**
This document is the response to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 3315, answered on August 8, 2025, regarding fertilizer availability, specifically focusing on Sulphur Coated Urea, the impact of the salt index and Calcium Carbonate Equivalent (CCE) of fertilizers on soil, and training provided to farmers. The Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers outlines steps taken to ensure adequate fertilizer supply, addresses concerns about Sulphur Coated Urea availability in Maharashtra, and explains the significance of salt index and CCE for soil health and crop production.
**Key Points / Main Content:**
* **Fertilizer Availability:**
* The Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare (DAFW) assesses state-wise, month-wise fertilizer requirements in consultation with State Governments.
* The Department of Fertilizers allocates fertilizer quantities based on DAFW projections and monitors availability.
* The Integrated Fertilizer Monitoring System (iFMS) is used to monitor the movement of major subsidized fertilizers.
* Weekly video conferences are conducted with State Agriculture Officials to address fertilizer dispatch issues.
* **Sulphur Coated Urea ("Urea Gold"):**
* Introduced in 2023, produced by RCFTrombay and NFL Panipat.
* Cumulative production until 15.07.2025: 30,735.82 MT, with sales at 30,632.72 MT.
* Production by RCF Trombay (700 MT) and NFL Panipat (105 MT) until 15.07.2025 during 2025-26.
* Maharashtra reported no complaints of non-availability; RCF supplied 1,660 MT during the Kharif 2025 season until 04.08.2025.
* **Salt Index and Calcium Carbonate Equivalent (CCE):**
* High salt index can increase soil salinity, reduce water uptake, and cause root burn.
* High salt index in foliar sprays may cause leaf scorch.
* CCE indicates liming or acidifying effect on soil pH, affecting nutrient availability.
* Understanding salt index and CCE is essential for selecting appropriate fertilizers and managing application rates.
* **Farmer Training:**
* ICAR provides training to farmers on the safe application of fertilizers.
* **Fertilizer Packaging:**
* Information on the Salt Index and CCE is not provided on fertilizer packaging.
**Impact Analysis:**
* **Farmers:**
* *Impact:* Affected by fertilizer availability, pricing, and the impact of fertilizer characteristics (salt index, CCE) on soil health and crop yield. Training on safe fertilizer application.
* *Action Required:* Utilize available training resources to understand proper fertilizer application techniques and consider the salt index and CCE of fertilizers when making purchasing and application decisions.
* **State Governments:**
* *Impact:* Responsible for assessing fertilizer needs and coordinating with the central government to ensure adequate supply.
* *Action Required:* Accurately assess fertilizer requirements, communicate needs to DAFW, and address any supply or availability issues within their respective states.
* **Fertilizer Manufacturers/Suppliers:**
* *Impact:* Subject to production targets and supply plans set by the Department of Fertilizers.
* *Action Required:* Maintain production levels to meet demand, adhere to supply plans, and ensure timely distribution of fertilizers.
* **Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare (DAFW):**
* *Impact:* Responsible for assessing fertilizer requirements and coordinating with State Governments.
* *Action Required:* Accurately assess fertilizer requirements in collaboration with State Governments and communicate those needs to the Department of Fertilizers.
* **Department of Fertilizers:**
* *Impact:* Responsible for allocating fertilizer quantities and monitoring availability.
* *Action Required:* Allocate adequate fertilizer quantities to States, monitor availability, and take corrective actions to address any supply or dispatch issues.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers: A ministry of the Government of India responsible for the development and regulation of the chemicals and fertilizers industries.
Department of Fertilizers: A department under the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers, responsible for ensuring the availability of fertilizers to farmers.
SHRI SANJAY UTTAMRAO DESHMUKH: A member of LOK SABHA who asked a question related to fertilizer availability and its effects.
Maharashtra: A state in India where inquiry was conducted regarding nonavailability of Sulphur coated Urea.
Sulphur coated Urea: A type of urea fertilizer coated with sulphur to improve nutrient use efficiency and reduce nitrogen losses.
Kharif crop: A monsoon season crop in India, important for agriculture and fertilizer demand.
Calcium Carbonate Equivalent (CCE): A measure of a fertilizer's liming or acidifying effect on soil pH.
Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare (DAFW): A department responsible for assessing the fertilizer requirements of states in India.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS
DEPARTMENT OF FERTILIZERS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3315 TO BE ANSWERED ON: 08.08.2025
Effect of Salt Index on Soil
✝3315:SHRI SANJAY UTTAMRAO DESHMUKH:
SHRI BHAUSAHEB RAJARAM WAKCHAURE:
SHRI SANJAY HARIBHAU JADHAV:
SHRI OMPRAKASH BHUPALSINH ALIAS PAVAN RAJENIMBALKAR:
Will the Minister of CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS be pleased to state:
(a) the policy formulated by the Government to ensure that all farmers get adequate
quantity/availability of all the fertilizers in the country, especially in rural and deprived
areas;
(b) whether the Government has conducted an inquiry in respect of non-availability
of Sulphur coated Urea for the Kharif crop year during the financial year 2025-26 in
Maharashtra, if so, the reasons therefor, along with the steps taken to ensure its
supply;
(c) the details of the fertilizer salt index and its importance in crop production;
(d) whether the Government has conducted any experiment/study on the effects of
Salt Index and Calcium Carbonate Equivalent (CCE) of various fertilizers on soil and
Foliar Spray, if so, the outcome thereof;
(e) whether any training has been provided to the farmers regarding the use of CCE
in agriculture and the fertilizers therein suitable according to it and if so, the details
thereof; and
(f) the reasons for not providing information on the Salt Index and CCE on the
packing of the fertilizers?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS
(SMT. ANUPRIYA PATEL)
(a) Following steps are taken by the Government before every cropping season for
ensuring timely and adequate availability of fertilizers in the country including rural and
deprived areas:
i. Before the commencement of each cropping season, Department of
Agriculture and Farmers Welfare (DA&FW), in consultation with all the State
Governments, assesses the state-wise & month-wise requirement of fertilizers.-2-
ii. On the basis of requirement projected by DA&FW, D/o Fertilizers allocates
adequate quantities of fertilizers to States by issuing monthly supply plan and
continuously monitors the availability.
iii. The movement of all major subsidized fertilizers is monitored throughout the
country by an on-line web-based monitoring system called integrated Fertilizer
Monitoring System (iFMS);
iv. Regular Weekly Video Conference is conducted jointly by DA&FW and D/o
Fertilizers with State Agriculture Officials and corrective actions are taken to dispatch
fertilizers as indicated by the State Governments.
(b) The government has introduced Sulphur Coated Urea with the name of "Urea
Gold" in the year 2023. At present, two Urea plants namely RCF-Trombay and NFL-
Panipat are producing Sulphur Coated Urea. The cumulative production of these two
units till 15.07.2025 is 30,735.82 MT while the sales stands at 30,632.72 MT. During
the year 2025-26, RCF Trombay has produced 700 MT while NFL Panipat has
produced 105 MT till 15.07.2025.
Further, State Government of Maharashtra has informed that no complaint
regarding non-availability of Sulphur coated Urea has been received to the State
agriculture department and 1,660 MT of Sulphur coated Urea has been supplied by
RCF in the State, during the ongoing Kharif 2025 season, till 04.08.2025.
(c) to (f) The salt index and calcium carbonate equivalent (CCE) of fertilizers
significantly influence both soil health and plant response. Fertilizers with a high salt
index can increase soil salinity, reduce water uptake by roots, and cause root burn,
particularly in arid soils or when overapplied. In foliar sprays, high salt index materials
may lead to leaf scorch or phytotoxicity, especially under hot and dry conditions.
The CCE indicates a fertilizer's liming or acidifying effect on soil pH. Fertilizers
with a positive CCE (e.g., calcium nitrate) help neutralize soil acidity, whereas those
with a negative CCE (e.g., ammonium sulphate, urea) tend to acidify the soil over
time, impacting nutrient availability and microbial activity. Therefore, understanding
both the salt index and CCE is essential for selecting appropriate fertilizers, managing
application rates, and ensuring balanced nutrient supply without harming soil health
or crop productivity—especially in sensitive crops or degraded soils.
ICAR imparts training to the farmers on safe application of fertilizers to avoid
any human and crop burns.
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