Parliament Question: Reduction in Consumption of Conventional Fertilizers

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS DEPARTMENT OF FERTILIZERS LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4614 TO BE ANSWERED ON: 20.03.2026 Reduction in Consumption of Conventional Fertilizers 4614. Dr. Shivaji Bandappa Kalge: Smt. Delkar Kalaben Mohanbhai: Shri Gyaneshwar Patil: Shri Bhumare Sandipanrao Asaram: Shri Nilesh Dnyandev Lanke: Will the Minister of CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS be pleased to state: (a) whether there has been a significant increase in the sale of nano-fertilizers including Nano Urea and Nano DAP in the country in recent years, if so, the details thereof, year-wise; (b) whether field trials/studies have confirmed their efficacy in improving crop yields and reducing the consumption of conventional fertilizers, if so, the details thereof; (c) whether concerns have been expressed regarding the inconsistent performance of said efficacy and issues related to nutrient deficiency, if so, the details thereof; and (d) the corrective steps taken by the Government including farmer awareness programmes and improving access to application technology in the country, State/district/UT-wise including Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and UT of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS (SMT. ANUPRIYA PATEL) (a) The year wise sales of Nano fertilizers including Nano Urea and Nano DAP in the country since inception are as follows: (In Lakh Bottles of 500ml each) Sales of Sales of Sales of Year Nano Urea Nano DAP Nano fertilizers 2021-22 212.13 - 212.13 2022-23 325.35 - 325.35 2023-24 206.97 57.81 264.78 2024-25 273.68 160.00 433.68 2025-26 (Till 28.02.2026) 201.14 156.29 357.43 Total 1219.27 374.10 1593.37(b) and (c) Based on the bio- efficacy trials at multiple locations by ICAR institutions and State Agriculture Universities (SAUs) and bio-safety test results, Government of India had provisionally notified Nano Urea as Nano Nitrogen Fertilizers in Fertilizer Control Order (FCO), 1985. These experimental trials of Nano Urea were conducted on different crops such as paddy, wheat, mustard, maize, tomato, cabbage, cucumber, capsicum and onion in different agro-climatic zones. The study indicated that two spray of nano urea as top-dressing alongwith recommended basal dose of nitrogen gave comparable yield to that obtained with full recommended dose of nitrogen with yield advantage of 3-8% and urea saving of 25-50% in various crops. Similarly, the Government on the basis of positive result of crop trials conducted in SAUs / ICAR institutes has notified Nano DAP and Nano zinc under FCO. Studies conducted by ICAR institutes of Central Potato Research Institute of ICAR at Modipuram and Jalandhar confirmed 50% replacement of Phosphorus by 2 sprays @ 4 ml /litre of Nano DAP and tuber treatment @ 5 ml/litre resulted at par yield of potato. To assess the efficacy of Nano fertilizers in improving crop yields and reducing the consumption of conventional fertilizers, the following studies have been undertaken : (i) An MoU has been 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”. As per the NPC assessment based on the farmers feedback, Nano Urea must be used only as a foliar application, while the basal dose must continue to be supplied through Conventional Urea, which remains essential even when Nano Urea is used. Combined application, Conventional Urea as basal and Nano Urea as foliar, has shown 1.65% to 14.82% increase in crop yield, depending on the crop, based on farmer feedback. (ii) 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. (iii) An MoU has been signed with ICAR on 03.11.2025 for undertaking a Network Project on the evaluation of nano urea on crop productivity and nitrogen use efficiency in diverse Agro-Ecological zones of India, jointly funded by fertilizer PSUs/cooperatives for implementing across multiple collaborating agricultural institutions for a period of five years. (iv) ICAR has initiated a project (2024–26) funded by the 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. This project, too, involves several collaborating agricultural institutions. Concerns have been expressed regarding the inconsistent performance of nano fertilizers, including variability in efficacy across locations and crops, as well as issues related to nutrient sufficiency at higher replacement levels; field trials have shown that while partial substitution (around 25%) of conventional fertilizers may yield comparable or marginallyhigher productivity in some cases, higher substitution levels (such as 50%) often resulted in yield reductions, decline in grain quality, and nutrient deficiencies, particularly in soils with low fertility, with performance also declining over repeated use at the same locations . (d) The Government has taken several corrective measures, including undertaking long- term, multi-locational research through the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) to evaluate crop response, nutrient use efficiency, and soil impacts; standardizing application protocols; and promoting balanced fertilizer use through farmer awareness programmes, demonstrations, and training. Further, efforts are being made to improve access to appropriate application technologies such as foliar spray systems, including drone-based spraying, to ensure proper and efficient use of nano fertilizers in the country. In order to promote the use of Nano Fertilizers among farmers across the country including Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and UT of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu, the following measures have been undertaken: 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. The Government is enhancing access to application technology for nano fertilizers in the country through the Namo Drone Didi (NDD) scheme. The scheme aims to provide drones to the Women Self Help Groups (SHGs) with an outlay of Rs. 1261 Crores for the period from 2023-24 to 2025-26. Under the scheme, Department of Fertilizers, through Fertilizer companies, has ensured distribution of 1094 drones to Namo Drone Didis of SHGs. The State- wise distribution of 1094 drones including Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh is attached at Annexure A. Out of these 1094 drones drone distributed to drone didis, 500 drones have been distributed under the Namo Drone Didi Scheme. There is no allocation of drones to the Union Territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu. All these SHG members have been provided training at the Remote Pilot Organisations (RPTOs) authorised by DGCA. The training included both drone flying (pilot training) and actual operation in fields, such as spraying liquid fertilizers and pesticides.In order to promote the use of drones in agriculture, the funds amounting to Rs. 52.50 Crores have been provided to the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) under Sub- Mission on Agricultural Mechanization (SMAM) for taking up drone demonstrations on the farmers’ fields through ICAR institutions, Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) and State Agricultural Universities. During the period from 2022-23 to 2025-26 (as on 15.03.2026), all these institutions have procured 297 drones. 36,882 drone demonstrations have been conducted on the farmers’ fields in various States covering an area of 38,280 hectares. 426,579 farmers have participated in these demonstrations. The State-wise details including Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh is placed at Annexure-B. There is no drone demonstrations on farmers’ fields have been conducted in the Union Territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu. *****Annexure A Annexure referred to in reply to part (d) of Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 4614 for answering on 20.03.2026 State-wise distribution of 1094 drones S.No State Name No. of Drones distributed 1. Andhra Pradesh 108 2. Assam 28 3. Bihar 32 4. Chhattisgarh 15 5. Goa 1 6. Gujarat 58 7. Haryana 102 8. Himachal Pradesh 4 9. J&K 2 10. Jharkhand 15 11. Karnataka 145 12. Kerala 51 13. Madhya Pradesh 89 14. Maharashtra 60 15. Odisha 16 16. Punjab 57 17. Rajasthan 40 18 Tamil Nadu 44 19. Telangana 81 20. Uttar Pradesh 128 21. Uttarakhand 3 22. West Bengal 15 Total 1094Annexure B Annexure referred to in reply to part (d) of Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 4614 for answering on 20.03.2026 State-wise Details of Drones Procured by ICAR, Number of Demonstrations Conducted, Area Covered, and Farmers Participated S. Name of State No of No of Area No. of No Drones Demonstration Covered Farmers Procured participated 1. Andhra Pradesh 8 2000 2644 10592 2. Andaman and Nicobar 2 5 85 820 Islands 3. Arunachal Pradesh 2 47 95 1172 4. Assam 12 826 761.61 34145 5. Bihar 15 2582 1956.39 5471 6. Chhattisgarh 6 1314 1584 16545 7. Delhi 8 700 200 6000 8. Goa 02 12 18.3 241 9. Gujarat 11 2089 1873 12480 10. Haryana 16 3300 2200 78000 11. Himachal Pradesh 6 900 780 15000 12. Jharkhand 8 938 516.27 539 13. Jammu & Kashmir 5 700 760 43000 14. Karnataka 14 1372 1429.41 12959 15. Kerala 17 1167 1428.11 9315 16. Madhya Pradesh 21 5042 3751.40 16430 17. Maharashtra 16 2024 2410.75 33962 18. Manipur 5 34 34 164 19. Meghalaya 2 82 94 1244 20. Mizoram 1 27 31 180 21. Nagaland 2 272 385 1463 22. Odisha (Orissa) 9 191 1371.80 10353 23. Punjab 14 1800 1700 25000 24. Rajasthan 15 800 1100 23000 25. Sikkim 4 250 130 2750 26. Tamil Nadu 9 2285 2852.41 16518 27. Telangana 13 3250 2810 9615 28. Tripura 1 195 109 5932 29. Uttar Pradesh 36 1450 2663.82 18071 30. Uttarakhand 6 1000 870 3200 31. West Bengal 11 228 1635.74 12418 Total 297 36882 38280.01 426579