**Executive Summary**
This document is the answer provided by the Minister of State in the Ministry of Chemicals & Fertilizers to the Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 999 regarding the promotion of nano fertilizers across the country, with a specific focus on Tamil Nadu and the Arani Lok Sabha Constituency. It details the steps taken by the government, research and development initiatives, and the expected impact of nano fertilizers. The answer references studies conducted by the National Productivity Council (NPC) and ICAR, with reports due as late as 26.11.2025.
**Key Points / Main Content**
*Promotion of Nano Fertilizers:*
* The use of nano fertilizers is promoted through awareness camps, webinars, field demonstrations, Kisan Sammelans, and films in regional languages.
* Nano Fertilizers are made available at Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samridhi Kendras (PMKSKs) by concerned companies.
* Nano Fertilizers are included under the monthly supply plan issued by the Department of Fertilizers regularly.
* Initiatives like 'Kisan Drones' and distribution of battery-operated Sprayers are undertaken to ease the application of Nano Urea. Pilot training and custom hiring spraying services are promoted through Village Level Entrepreneurs.
* A Maha Abhiyan for the adoption of Nano DAP in 15 agro-climatic zones and field-level demonstrations and awareness programs for Nano Urea plus in 100 districts have been launched.
* IFFCO is conducting mass-awareness activities, including Nano Model Village programs, on-field demonstrations, and retailer trainings. In Arani, IFFCO has undertaken demonstrations, drone spraying, farmers' meetings, and retailer training from September to October 2025.
*Research and Studies:*
* An MoU was signed with NPC on 5th March, 2024, for a study on Nano Urea's efficacy compared to conventional urea. Phase-Il study by NPC has also been signed on 14.11.2025 and will be conducted at a cost of ₹61.52 lakh.
* An MoU was signed with ICAR on 03.11.2025 for a Network Project on Nano Urea evaluation at a cost of ₹21.20 crore, conducted over five years.
* ICAR initiated a 2024–26 project, with a total outlay of ₹160 lakh, to evaluate the impact of Nano Fertilizers on crop growth, soil health, and nutrient uptake.
*Findings on Nano Fertilizers:*
* The NPC study submitted on 26.11.2025, found that nano urea with 4% nitrogen may need to be improved or discontinued.
* Improved Nano Urea plus with 16% or 20% Nitrogen is suggested for promotion.
* Combined application of conventional urea and nano urea shows a yield increase of 1.65-14.82%.
* Crop-specific recommended doses for foliar application should be notified.
* Nano urea curtails weed growth, and crop growth improves with seed treatment with Nano DAP.
* Nano urea does not degrade soil health when applied as a foliar application.
* Conventional urea harms earthworms; therefore, nano urea should be promoted for better soil and crop health.
*Financial Assistance:*
* No financial assistance or subsidy is provided by the Government of India for Nano Fertilizers.
**Impact Analysis**
**Farmers**
*Impact:* Farmers are impacted by the promotion of nano fertilizers through awareness programs and the availability of nano fertilizers in the market. They are also impacted by the research findings related to yield and the potential benefits of using nano fertilizers in conjunction with or as a replacement for conventional urea.
*Action Required:* Farmers need to participate in awareness programs, adopt best practices for applying nano fertilizers, and provide feedback on their experience.
**Fertilizer Companies**
*Impact:* Fertilizer companies are tasked with promoting the use of nano fertilizers through their distribution channels and participation in awareness programs. They are also affected by the research findings on the effectiveness of nano fertilizers.
*Action Required:* Fertilizer companies need to ensure the availability of nano fertilizers, participate in awareness programs, and adapt their product offerings based on research findings.
**Research Institutions (NPC, ICAR, Agricultural Universities)**
*Impact:* Research institutions are responsible for conducting studies on the efficacy and impact of nano fertilizers. Their findings influence government policy and recommendations to farmers.
*Action Required:* They need to conduct research projects and disseminate findings to stakeholders.
**Department of Fertilizers**
*Impact:* The Department of Fertilizers is responsible for promoting the use of nano fertilizers, monitoring their effectiveness, and making policy decisions based on research findings.
*Action Required:* The Department should continue to promote nano fertilizers through various programs, monitor their effectiveness, and refine policies based on the research findings.
Key Entities Referenced
Nano Fertilizers: Subject of promotion efforts, research, and impact assessment.
Department of Fertilizers: Responsible for promoting Nano Fertilizers and collaboration with other organizations.
National Productivity Council (NPC): Conducted studies on the efficacy and impact of Nano Urea.
Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samridhi Kendras (PMKSKs): Outlets where Nano Fertilizers are available.
Tamil Nadu: Specifically mentioned region where steps are being taken for promotion and impact assessment.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS
DEPARTMENT OF FERTILIZERS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 999 TO BE ANSWERED ON: 05.12.2025
Promotion of Nano Fertilizers
999. Shri Tharaniventhan M S:
Will the Minister of CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS be pleased to state:
(a) the steps taken by the Government to promote the use of nano fertilizers across
the country, State-wise including Tamil Nadu especially in Arani Lok Sabha
Constituency;
(b) the specific initiatives undertaken to create awareness among farmers regarding
the benefits of nano fertilizers, including Tamil Nadu especially in the said Lok
Sabha Constituency;
(c) the financial assistance or support provided to farmers for adopting nano fertilizers
in different regions, including Tamil Nadu especially in the said Lok Sabha
Constituency;
(d) the extent of Research and Development (R&D) conducted in the field of nano
fertilizers and their effectiveness in improving crop productivity and reducing
environmental impact; and
(e) the expected impact of nano fertilizers on sustainable agriculture and soil health,
particularly in the agricultural landscape of Tamil Nadu?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF CHEMICALS & FERTILIZERS
(SMT. ANUPRIYA PATEL)
(a) and (b) In order to promote the use of Nano Fertilizers among farmers across the
country, including in the State of Tamil Nadu and its Lok Sabha constituencies, the
following measures have been undertaken:-2-
i. Use of Nano Fertilizers is promoted through different activities such as awareness
camps, webinars, field demonstrations, Kisan Sammelans and films in regional
languages etc.
ii. Nano Fertilizers are made available at Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samridhi Kendras
(PMKSKs) by concerned companies.
iii. Nano Fertilizers has been included under monthly supply plan issued by
Department of Fertilizers regularly.
iv. For ease in application and utilization of Nano fertilizers like Nano Urea through
foliar application, initiatives such as innovative spraying options like 'Kisan Drones'
and distribution of battery operated Sprayers at retail points are undertaken. For
this purpose, pilot training and custom hiring spraying services through Village
Level Entrepreneurs are actively promoted.
v. DoF in collaboration with fertilizer companies has initiated a Maha Abhiyan for
adoption of Nano DAP in all 15 agro-climatic zones of the country through
consultations and field level demonstrations. Further, DoF in collaboration with
fertilizer companies has also launched campaign for field level demonstrations and
awareness programs of Nano Urea plus in 100 districts of the country.
vi. IFFCO has informed that it is conducting extensive mass-awareness activities on
Nano Fertilizers across most states. Its field officers regularly organize Nano Model
Village programmes, on-field demonstrations, drone-spraying campaigns, farmers’
meetings, road shows, educative banners and retailer trainings at district, block
and village levels, including in the Arani Lok Sabha Constituency. In Arani, IFFCO
has undertaken 30 on-field demonstrations, drone spraying over 500+ acres, 25+
farmers’ meetings, road shows (Sept–Oct 2025), 10 road-side banners and
training of 100 retailers.
(c) Sir, no financial assistance or subsidy is provided by Government of India for Nano
Fertilizers.
(d) An MoU was signed between National Productivity Council (NPC) of India and
Department of Fertilizers on 5th March, 2024 to undertake the study of Nano Urea on
"Evaluating Efficacy, Utility and Impact of Nano Urea in comparison to Conventional Urea.
A Phase-II study by NPC has also been signed on 14.11.2025 for evaluating the extent
of replacement of Conventional Urea by Nano Urea. The Phase-II study will be conducted
at a cost of ₹61.52 lakh.
Additionally, an MoU has been signed with ICAR on 03.11.2025 for undertaking a
Network Project on the evaluation of Nano Urea, at a cost of ₹21.20 crore (including GST)
and funded jointly by fertilizer PSUs/cooperatives. The project is scheduled to be
conducted over a period of five years. The project is being conducted in various
Collaborating Agricultural University/Institutes, including Tamil Nadu Agricultural
University (TNAU), Coimbatore.
Furthermore, ICAR has also initiated a 2024–26 project, funded by Indian Council
for Fertilizers and Fertilizer Technology Research (ICFFTR) with a total outlay of ₹160
lakh, to evaluate the impact of Nano Fertilizers on crop growth, soil health, and nutrient
uptake across various agro-ecological zones. There are various Collaborating Agricultural-3-
University/Institutes including Agricultural College and Research Institute (ACRI),
Madurai, under Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU).
(e) National Productivity Council (NPC) submitted key findings of its study regarding
"Evaluating Efficacy, Utility and Impact of Nano Urea in comparison to Conventional Urea”
on 26.11.2025, which also includes impact of nano urea on sustainable agriculture and
soil health, as given below:
i. The nano urea with 4% Nitrogen is not sufficient to fulfil nitrogen needs of all the
crops hence, Nano Urea with 4% Nitrogen is required to be improved or discontinued.
Improved Nano Urea plus with 16% Nitrogen (w/w) or 20% Nitrogen (w/v) which
covers large number of crops is better for promotion.
ii. Percentage increased in yield for combined application of conventional urea (basal
dose) and nano urea (foliar application) as compared to conventional urea alone is
1.65-14.82% depending upon the crop based on feedback from farmers
iii. Percentage increase in yield with nano urea application is maximum in case of
peas (6.14-14.82%) and minimum in case of sugarcane (1.65-8%) as compared to
using conventional urea alone.
iv. Crop specific recommended dose of nano urea fertilizer in foliar application may
be notified as soil fertility and quality differs from region to region.
v. Weed growth is curtailed with application of nano urea due to foliar application.
vi. The crop growth is better if seed treatment is done with Nano DAP.
vii. Nano urea does not degrade soil health as it is applied as a foliar application.
viii. Conventional urea harms the population of earthworms which are beneficial for the
health of soil and the crops. Hence conventional urea may be used to a minimum
extent and the use of nano urea has to be promoted for better soil and crop health.
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