Parliament Question: Specific fertilizer assistance for horticultural crops of Konkan region

O.I.H.

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3841 TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 27/03/2026 SPECIFIC FERTILIZER ASSISTANCE FOR HORTICULTURAL CROPS OF KONKAN REGION

3841. SHRI DHAIRYASHIL MOHAN PATIL:

Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE be pleased to state:

(a) whether Government is aware of the fact that in high rainfall regions such as the Konkan, leaching of nutrients from the soil is leading to significant deficiencies of nitrogen, calcium and magnesium in mango and cashew crops;

(b) whether any assessment has been made regarding the adverse impact of such nutrient deficiencies on the productivity and income of small farmers; and

(c) whether Government is considering to include multi-nutrient foliar sprays and nano-urea under a special subsidy, in view of the difficult geographical conditions of the Konkan region, if not, the reasons therefor? ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE FOR AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE (SHRI RAMNATH THAKUR)

(a) & (b): State Government of Maharashtra has informed that due to high rainfall during June to September leaching out of nutrients occurs in Konkan region. Similarly, State Government of Karnataka has informed that in the Konkan region of Karnatka namely Uttar Kannada Dakshin Kannada, and Udupi due to high rain fall the light texture of soil leads to leaching of nutrients. As a result, deficiency of essential nutrients such as nitrogen, calcium, and magnesium are commonly observed in mango and cashew crops. Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) informed that in high rainfall regions such as the Konkan, heavy precipitation leads to leaching of nutrients from soils, resulting in deficiencies in mango and cashew crops. Studies conducted by ICAR indicate that available nitrogen is low in a majority of soils, and deficiencies of key nutrients are prevalent, which can affect crops such as mango and cashew. Further, soil survey conducted by ICAR indicatesthat high rainfall in the Konkan region leads to leaching of nutrients and bases such as nitrogen, calcium, magnesium and potassium. In addition, deficiencies of secondary and micronutrients, particularly calcium, magnesium and zinc, are common. Factors like soil erosion, runoff losses due to heavy rainfall and undulating terrain, significantly constrain soil health and crop productivity in crops like mango and cashew.

ICAR studies have indicated that low nitrogen and other nutrient deficiencies, along with micronutrient deficiencies such as zinc, are major constraints to crop productivity in coastal regions like Goa. Soil test-based fertilizer recommendations are provided to address these issues. In Karnataka, the State Government has introduced state level support to these inputs under various schemes, such as Integrated Nutrient Management program under National Horticulture Mission and micro-nutrient and macro-nutrient support program under Rastriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) scheme. The Government of India implements Cashew & Cocoa development program under Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH) and is primarily engaged in implementation activities such as establishment of new plantations, transfer of technology initiatives including frontline technology demonstrations, capacity building programmes etc. through various implementing agencies.

(c): Nutrient management interventions, including the use of multi- nutrient foliar sprays and emerging products such as nano-urea, are being promoted. Government of Karnataka reported that Department of Horticulture, in coordination with Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) and Horticulture Universities, is actively promoting the foliar application of multi-nutrients. This is being carried out through frontline demonstrations, farmer training programmes, and field days to ensure effective adoption of best practices. However, no special subsidy for multi – nutrient foliar sprays and nano- urea at present.

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