Executive Summary:
This document addresses Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 2604 regarding the promotion of alternative nutrients, specifically in response to concerns about DiAmmonium Phosphate (DAP) fertilizer shortages. The response details measures taken by the Government of India to ensure fertilizer availability, promote alternative nutrients, and educate farmers. The information provided is current as of August 5, 2025, referencing data from April-July 2025 and activities planned from 2023-24 to 2025-26.
Key Points / Main Content:
* **DAP Availability:**
* Punjab reported adequate DAP availability (1.91 LMT) against the requirement (1.55 LMT) during April-July 2025.
* **Fertilizer Planning and Monitoring:**
* The Government of India assesses fertilizer requirements (Urea, DAP, MOP, Complexes, SSP) in consultation with State Governments before each cropping season (Rabi and Kharif).
* The Department of Fertilizers allocates fertilizer quantities to states based on assessed requirements via monthly supply plans and continuously monitors availability.
* Fertilizer movement is tracked using the Integrated Fertilizer Monitoring System (iFMS).
* Weekly video conferences are held between the Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, the Department of Fertilizers, and State Agriculture Officials.
* **Promotion of Alternative Nutrients:**
* The Government encourages the use of Triple Super Phosphate (TSP) and Complex fertilizers as alternatives to DAP.
* Alternative fertilizers (Organic Fertilizers, Biofertilizers, Deoiled cake, Organic Carbon Enhancer, Nano fertilizer) are notified in The Fertilizer Control Order, 1985.
* Organic farming is promoted through Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY) and Mission Organic Value Chain Development for North Eastern Region (MOVCDNER).
* PKVY provides assistance of Rs. 31,500 per hectare in 3 years, with Rs. 15,000 as Direct Benefit Transfer for organic inputs.
* MOVCDNER provides assistance of Rs. 46,500 per hectare in 3 years, with Rs. 32,500 for organic inputs, including Rs. 15,000 as Direct Benefit Transfer.
* **Market Development Assistance (MDA) Scheme:**
* Assistance of Rs. 1500/Metric Tonne is provided to Compressed Bio Gas plants/Fertilizer Marketing Companies for soil carbon enhancers and organic fertilizers produced under the Galvanizing Organic Bio-Agro Resources Dhan (GOBARdhan) initiative.
* Rs. 54 crore MDA has been released for the period 2023-24 to 2025-26.
* **Farmer Education:**
* The Government of Punjab educates farmers on alternative nutrients through village, block, and district-level camps, electronic and print media, and Punjab Agricultural University recommendations.
Impact Analysis:
* **Farmers:**
* Impact: Farmers are assured of adequate fertilizer availability and are encouraged to adopt alternative and organic farming practices through financial assistance and educational initiatives.
* Action Required: Farmers should participate in awareness programs, adopt recommended alternative nutrient practices, and utilize available financial assistance for organic inputs.
* **State Governments (Punjab in particular):**
* Impact: State governments are responsible for the distribution of fertilizers within their respective states at the district level and for reporting fertilizer availability.
* Action Required: State governments should continue to monitor fertilizer availability, ensure effective distribution, conduct farmer education programs, and coordinate with the central government on fertilizer needs.
* **Fertilizer Industry (Manufacturers, Importers, and Marketing Companies):**
* Impact: The industry is affected by the government's monitoring of fertilizer movement, promotion of alternative fertilizers, and the MDA scheme for organic fertilizers.
* Action Required: Fertilizer companies should comply with government regulations, participate in the MDA scheme for promoting organic fertilizers, and adapt to the increasing demand for alternative and organic fertilizer options.
* **Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare and Department of Fertilizers:**
* Impact: These departments are responsible for assessing fertilizer requirements, allocating supplies, monitoring availability, and promoting alternative nutrients.
* Action Required: These departments must continue to collaborate with state governments and the fertilizer industry to ensure seamless fertilizer availability, promote sustainable farming practices, and administer financial assistance schemes effectively.
Key Entities Referenced
Punjab: A state in India, mentioned in the context of fertilizer shortage and agricultural practices.
DiAmmonium Phosphate (DAP): A type of fertilizer whose shortage is discussed in the context of its impact on crop yields.
Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare (DAFW): A department of the Indian government responsible for agriculture and farmers' welfare.
Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY): A scheme promoting organic farming in India, excluding the North Eastern States.
Mission Organic Value Chain Development for North Eastern Region (MOVCDNER): A scheme promoting organic farming specifically in the North Eastern States of India.
Fertilizer Control Order, 1985: A regulatory order ensuring the quality of fertilizers, including organic and biofertilizers.
Ramnath Thakur: Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare
Market Development Assistance (MDA) Scheme: A scheme providing assistance for promotion of soil carbon enhancers and organic fertilizer.
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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