Parliament Question: Promoting Alternative Nutrients

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS’ WELFARE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2604 TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 05THAUGUST, 2025 PROMOTING ALTERNATIVE NUTRIENTS

2604. SHRI GURJEET SINGH AUJLA:

Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE कृ(cid:874)ष एवं (cid:873)कसान क(cid:227)याण म(cid:287)ं ी

be pleased to state:

(a) whether the shortage of DAP (Di-Ammonium Phosphate) fertilizer has severely disrupted sowing schedules crop yields and directly impacting farmers of Punjab especially in forder region like Punjab;

(b) the details of measures to overcome this recurring shortage;

(c) whether any comprehensive forecasting and demand-supply planning been put in place for coming agricultural seasons;

(d) the manner in which procurement mechanism, distribution prioritized to States like Punjab especially during peak farming periods;

(e) the details of contingency plan to meet future disruptions in international imports or

domestic production:

(f) the details of efforts made to promote alternative nutrients and farmer being educated thereto; and

(g) the details of clear roadmap for fertilizer security, a special supply mechanism for border regions like Amritsar in Punjab, district-wise? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE कृ(cid:874)ष एवं (cid:873)कसान क(cid:227)याण रा(cid:207)य म(cid:287)ं ी (SHRI RAMNATH THAKUR)

(a) & (b): The state government of Punjab has reported that no such trend has been observed. The availability of Di-Ammonium Phosphate (DAP) has remained adequate i.e.

1.91 Lakh Metric Ton (LMT) availability against the requirement of 1.55 LMT during April,2025 to July, 2025, in the state of Punjab during the ongoing Kharif, 2025 season.

(c) & (d): Government of India assess the requirement of major fertilizers, namely Urea, DAP, Murate of Potash (MOP), Complexes and Single Super Phosphate (SSP) fertilizers,before each cropping season (viz. Rabi and Kharif) in consultation with State Governments.

The requirement of fertilizers assessed by DA&FW is intimated to the Department of Fertilizers to ensure seamless availability of fertilizers during the cropping season. On the basis of requirement projected, Department of Fertilizers allocates sufficient/adequate quantities of fertilizers to States by issuing monthly supply plan and continuously monitors the availability. This requirement is met through indigenous production and imports planned well in advance. 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). 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. However, distribution of fertilizers within the State at district level is done by the State Government.

(e) to (g): The Government of India is encouraging the use of Triple Super Phosphate (TSP) and Complex fertiliser as an alternate to DAP. Alternate fertilizers i.e.

Organic Fertilizers, Bio-fertilizers, De-oiled cake and Organic Carbon Enhancer, Nano fertilizer are notified in The Fertilizer Control Order, 1985 to ensure quality of these fertilizers.

Organic farming is promoted through Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY) in all the States/UTs except North Eastern States and Mission Organic Value Chain Development for North Eastern Region (MOVCDNER) for the North Eastern States. Under PKVY assistance of Rs. 31,500 per hectare in 3 years is provided for promotion of organic farming. Out of this, assistance of Rs. 15,000 per ha is provided to farmers through Direct Benefit Transfer for on- farm /off –farm organic inputs including organic compost. Under MOVCDNER, assistance of Rs. 46,500 per hectare in 3 years is provided for creation of Farmers Producer Organization, support to farmers for organic inputs etc. Out of this, assistance @ Rs. 32500 per hectare is provided to farmers for off -farm /on –farm organic inputs under the scheme including Rs. 15,000 as Direct Benefit Transfer to the farmers.

Government is implementing Market Development Assistance (MDA) Scheme under which assistance @ Rs. 1500/Metric Tonne is provided to Compressed Bio Gas plants/Fertilizer Marketing Companies for promotion of soil carbon enhancers, viz., Fermented Organic Manure (FOM)/Liquid Fermented Organic Manure (LFOM) and organic fertilizer, viz., Phosphate Rich Organic Manure (PROM) produced at plants under Galvanizing Organic Bio-Agro Resources Dhan (GOBARdhan) initiative. As on 23.07.2025, Rs. 54 crore MDA has been released for period 2023-24 to 2025-26.

The Government of Punjab informed that farmers are regularly educated on the use of alternative nutrients and fertilizers through various awareness initiatives, including camps organized at the village, block, and district levels, as well as through electronic and print media. Additionally, farmers are educated about best practices and recommendations from Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana.

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