Parliament Question: Use of Low Cost Fertilizer

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS DEPARTMENT OF FERTILIZERS LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3441 TO BE ANSWERED ON: 08.08.2025 Use of Low Cost Fertilizer 3441. Shri Sukanta Kumar Panigrahi: Will the Minister of CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS be pleased to state: (a) whether the Government has taken any steps to promote the use of low-cost, eco- friendly fertilizers or chemical inputs specifically tailored for forest-based livelihoods and tribal agricultural systems; (b) if so, the details of such initiatives, including regions covered, implementing agencies and types of inputs promoted; (c) whether the Government has consulted the Ministry of Tribal Affairs or Gram Sabhas under the Forest Rights Act to design or implement such solutions; (d) if not, whether the Government proposes to launch any pilot projects or dedicated schemes targeting aspirational tribal districts with sustainable input strategies; and (e) the steps taken to integrate traditional organic inputs with modern low-cost fertilizer to ensure ecological balance and affordability for tribal farmers? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS (SMT. ANUPRIYA PATEL) (a) and (b) Yes Sir. Government of India has also rolled out a multi-pronged strategy to encourage the adoption of low-cost, eco-friendly fertilizers and agricultural inputs, with a special emphasis on empowering tribal communities and sustaining forest-based livelihoods. Through a convergence of schemes promoting organic farming, traditional agricultural practices, and value addition to forest produce, the government is actively fostering a shift towards sustainable and economically viable agricultural systems for these communities. Cornerstones of this initiative are as follows: - (i) Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY):- A centrally sponsored scheme that promotes organic farming through a cluster-based approach. Under PKVY, financial assistance is provided to farmers for organic inputs, with a stated preference for tribal and marginal farmers. This scheme directly addresses the need for affordable and environmentally sound agricultural solutions. To date, PKVY has been instrumental in bringing large swathes of agricultural land under organic cultivation, benefiting numerous tribal farmers.-2- (ii) Bhartiya Prakritik Krishi Paddhati (BPKP) :- In a move to revive and validate traditional wisdom, the government is promoting traditional farming system through this scheme. This system champions the use of on-farm, natural inputs, effectively creating a zero-budget, eco-friendly agricultural model. By encouraging practices that have been honed over generations, BPKP not only reduces the cost of cultivation but also enhances soil health and biodiversity. (iii) Mission Organic Value Chain Development for North Eastern Region (MOVCDNER) :- This dedicated scheme for the north-eastern states, home to a significant tribal population, focuses on developing robust organic value chains. It provides comprehensive support to farmers, from sourcing organic inputs to marketing their produce, thereby creating a self-sustaining ecosystem for organic agriculture in the region. (iv) Soil Health Card (SHC) Scheme:- Under this scheme, farmers, including those in tribal regions, receive a detailed analysis of their soil's nutrient status. The SHC provides recommendations for the balanced use of fertilizers, advocating for the application of both chemical fertilizers and organic manures based on soil deficiencies. (v) National Mission on Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA):- This scheme also contributes significantly to this cause. Through its various sub-missions, such as the Rain-fed Area Development (RAD) program, NMSA promotes integrated farming systems that emphasize the use of organic manures and bio-fertilizers. These systems are inherently more resilient and less dependent on expensive chemical inputs, making them ideal for the socio-economic and ecological context of tribal and forest-fringe areas. (vi) PM Programme for Restoration, Awareness Generation, Nourishment, and Amelioration of Mother-Earth (PM-PRANAM) :- PM-PRANAM scheme aims to support the mass movement initiated by States and Union Territories (UTs) to preserve the health of Mother Earth through the promotion of sustainable and balanced fertilizer use, adoption of alternative fertilizers, promotion of organic farming, and implementation of resource conservation technologies. All States/UTs are covered under the PM-PRANAM scheme. Under the PM-PRANAM scheme, there is a provision to provide incentives to States/UTs for reduction of consumption of chemical fertilizers (Urea, DAP, NPK, MOP) in a given financial year, compared to the average consumption over the previous three years, equivalent to 50% of the fertilizer subsidy saved. (c) and (d) No Sir.-3- (e) Government is actively pursuing a multi-pronged strategy to foster ecological balance and enhance the affordability of farming for tribal communities by integrating traditional organic inputs with modern, low-cost fertilizers. This approach moves beyond a simple dichotomy of 'chemical versus organic' and instead focuses on a holistic and sustainable agricultural model tailored to the unique needs and wisdom of tribal farmers. At the heart of this initiative is the principle of Integrated Nutrient Management (INM), which is being promoted through a convergence of national-level schemes including PKVY; BPKP; SHC; PM-PRANAM; and MOVCDNER etc. The core idea is to maintain soil fertility and plant nutrient supply at an optimal level for sustaining the desired crop productivity through the optimization of the benefits from all possible sources of organic, inorganic, and biological components in an integrated manner. *****