**Executive Summary**
The PM-PRANAM scheme, approved on June 28, 2023, aims to promote sustainable agriculture by incentivizing States and Union Territories to reduce chemical fertilizer consumption. The program offers grants equivalent to 50% of the fertilizer subsidy saved compared to a three-year average, with recent data reporting over 5,800 Nano fertilizer field trials conducted through March 23, 2026. Key findings emphasize that integrated nutrient management can improve crop yields by up to 50% while restoring soil health.
**Key Points / Main Content**
**PM-PRANAM Scheme Framework**
* **Incentive Mechanism:** States and UTs are rewarded for reducing the consumption of chemical fertilizers (Urea, DAP, NPK, MOP) relative to their previous three-year average.
* **Grant Allocation:** 50% of the saved fertilizer subsidy is provided as a grant. 95% of this grant goes to the State, of which 65% must be used for capital expenditure (capex) in Centrally Sponsored Schemes and 30% is untied for activities like Information, Education, and Communication (IEC).
**Nano Fertilizer Initiatives**
* **Maha Abhiyan:** A campaign launched by the Department of Fertilizers (DoF) to promote Nano DAP adoption across 15 Agro-climatic zones.
* **Field Trials:** As of March 23, 2026, IFFCO has conducted 5,438 Nano DAP trials and 932 Nano Urea trials under the supervision of ICAR-Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs).
* **Awareness Programs:** Nationwide campaigns and field-level demonstrations for Nano Urea Plus have been initiated in 100 districts.
**Scientific Findings and Soil Health**
* **Yield Improvements:** Long-term ICAR studies show that 100% NPK application improves yields by 20–30%, while integrated nutrient management (NPK + farmyard manure) increases productivity by 30–50%.
* **Soil Quality Indicators:** Integrated management significantly improves soil organic carbon (by 0.1–0.3 percentage points) and microbial biomass carbon (by 20–40%) compared to chemical fertilizers alone.
* **Risks of Imbalance:** Continuous nitrogen-only application leads to declining yields and soil deterioration. High-analysis fertilizers like DAP can cause secondary nutrient deficiencies (e.g., Sulphur) and phosphorus buildup if not supplemented correctly.
* **Site-Specific Management:** Soil test-based equations have been developed for major crops to enable precise nutrient application based on soil fertility and farmer resources.
**Impact Analysis**
**State and Union Territory Governments**
**Impact**
They are eligible for substantial financial grants based on their success in reducing chemical fertilizer dependency.
**Action Required**
Implement strategies to reduce chemical fertilizer use and allocate 65% of received grants toward capital expenditure projects.
**Farmers**
**Impact**
Farmers gain access to improved yields (up to 50%) and better soil sustainability through balanced and integrated nutrient management.
**Action Required**
Shift toward Nano fertilizers and integrated nutrient management; utilize Soil Health Cards for subsidized fertilizer purchases at Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samridhi Kendras (PMKSK).
**Fertilizer Companies (e.g., IFFCO)**
**Impact**
These entities are central to the "Maha Abhiyan" and the execution of nationwide field trials and awareness campaigns.
**Action Required**
Continue conducting field-level demonstrations, consultations, and trials across all 15 Agro-climatic zones.
**Research and Academic Institutions (ICAR, KVKs, State Agriculture Universities)**
**Impact**
They provide the scientific guidance, monitoring, and long-term data necessary to validate the efficacy of new fertilizer regimes.
**Action Required**
Continue supervising field trials, developing nutrient prescription equations, and conducting long-term experiments on soil quality and productivity.
Key Entities Referenced
PM-PRANAM: The 'PM Programme for Restoration, Awareness Generation, Nourishment, and Amelioration of Mother-Earth', a scheme providing grants to States/UTs to incentivize the reduction of chemical fertilizer consumption.
Department of Fertilizers (DoF): The primary government department responsible for implementing the PM-PRANAM scheme and spearheading the 'Maha Abhiyan' campaign for nano-fertilizer adoption.
Nano DAP and Nano Urea Plus: Innovative liquid fertilizer technologies promoted through nationwide field trials and initiatives to replace conventional chemical fertilizers and improve soil health.
Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR): The premier research body providing scientific guidance for field trials and technical findings on balanced NPK and integrated nutrient management.
Soil Health Card: A policy-linked document under the Department of Agriculture & Farmer’s Welfare used to determine localized fertilizer requirements and subsidized distribution.
Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers :
Department of Fertilizers
PM-PRANAM Launched to Promote Sustainable
Fertilizer Use and Restore Soil Health Across
States
Over 5,800 Nano DAP and Nano Urea Field Trials Conducted
Across 15 Agro-Climatic Zones Under DoF Initiative
Balanced NPK and Integrated Nutrient Management Improve
Yields by Up to 50%: ICAR Long-Term Findings
Posted On: 27 MAR 2026 4:15PM by PIB Delhi
The Government continues to drive the "PM Programme for Restoration, Awareness Generation,
Nourishment, and Amelioration of Mother-Earth" (PM-PRANAM), approved on June 28, 2023. The
scheme provides a unique grant mechanism to incentivize States and Union Territories (UTs) that
successfully reduce their consumption of chemical fertilizers compared to their previous three-year
average.
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. Of the total grant, 95% will be allocated to the
State, while provided to the States, 65% is for capital expenditure (capex) projects, preferably as
contributions to Centrally Sponsored Schemes, and 30% is untied for other activities, including
Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) initiatives.
Department of Fertilizers (DoF) in collaboration with fertiliser companies, has launched Maha Abhiyan
to promote the adoption of Nano DAP across all 15 Agro-climatic zones of the country through
consultations & field-level demonstrations. Under the guidance of Indian Council of Agriculture Research
(ICAR) and the supervision of ICAR-Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs), IFFCO had conducted 2,500 Nano
DAP Farmer Field Trials during Kharif and Rabi 2024–25 and 2,938 Nano DAP Farmer Field Trials
during Kharif and Rabi 2025-26 (till 23.03.2026) across 15 Agro-Climatic Zones (ACZs) of the country.
Additionally, DoF in collaboration with fertiliser companies, has initiated a nationwide campaign for field-
level demonstrations and awareness programmes on Nano Urea Plus in 100 districts. IFFCO had
conducted 448 Nano Urea Farmer Field Trials during Kharif and Rabi 2024–25 and 484 Nano Urea Farmer
Field Trials during Kharif and Rabi 2025-26 (till 23.03.2026) across 15 Agro-Climatic Zones (ACZs) of the
country under the guidance of Indian Council of Agriculture Research (ICAR) and the supervision of
ICAR-Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs).The State wise, Agroclimatic Zone (ACZ) wise, Nano Fertilisers Field Trials, including Nano Urea and
Nano DAP are placed at Annexure I (Kharif, 2024 (April to September-2024)), Annexure II (Rabi, 2024-25,
(Oct-2024 to Mar-2025)), Annexure III (Kharif, 2025 (April to September-2025)) and Annexure IV (Rabi,
2025-26 (Oct-2025 to Mar-2026, as on 23.03.2026)).
Karnataka State Agriculture Universities have undertaken 2 long term experiments at University of
Agricultural Sciences (UAS), Gandhi Krishi Vigyana Kendra (GKVK), Bangalore, which are as under:
I. Long Term Fertilizer Experiments are under progress since 1986 at All India Coordinated
Research Projects (AICRP) on Long-Term Fertilizer Experiments (LTFE), UAS, GKVK,
Bangalore to study changes in soil quality, crop productivity and sustainability in Alfisols
under finger millet-maize cropping system. The results of the experiments are attached at
Annexure V.
II. Long Term Fertilizer Experiments are under progress since 1978 at All India Coordinated
Research Projects (AICRP) on Dry land Agriculture, UAS, GKVK, Bangalore to study the
changes in soil quality, crop productivity and sustainability under finger millet mono-
cropping and finger millet-groundnut crop rotation.
In addition to this, long-term studies conducted by Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) at
various locations across diverse agro-ecological regions of the country demonstrate the impact of balanced
nutrient application on soil health and crop productivity. The findings indicate that recommended NPK
application (100% NPK) improves crop yields by about 20–30 per cent over nitrogen-only use, while
integrated nutrient management (100% NPK + farmyard manure) further enhances productivity by 30–50
per cent over control plots. Soil organic carbon is highest under integrated nutrient management,
improving by about 0.1–0.3 percentage points over long-term nitrogen-only treatments, indicating better
soil health. Microbial biomass carbon is also significantly higher, by 20–40 per cent, under integrated
nutrient management compared to chemical fertilizers alone. In contrast, continuous nitrogen-only
application leads to declining yields and deterioration of soil properties over time.
Further, under All India Coordinated Research Project on Soil Test Crop Response (AICRP-STCR), soil
test-based balanced fertilizer prescription equations have been developed for major crops to enable site-
specific nutrient management based on soil fertility and farmers’ resources. Coordinated programmes also
promote balanced fertilization and integrated nutrient management through training, demonstrations, and
awareness activities. Overall, balanced and integrated nutrient application is essential for sustaining soil
fertility, improving crop productivity, and ensuring environmental sustainability.
The farmers can purchase their required amount of subsidized fertilizers based on the recommendation of
Soil Health Card received by them through any fertilizers retail shop/ Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samridhi
Kendra (PMKSK). The subject matter of Soil Health Card falls in the purview of Department of
Agriculture & Farmer’s Welfare and no such proposal of integrate Soil Health Card recommendations
with fertilizers supply plan has yet been received from the administrative Ministry.
Annexure-I
State wise, Agroclimatic Zone (ACZ) Wise, Nano Fertilisers Field Trials by IFFCO (in nos.)
during KHARIF, 2024 (April to September-2024)
S. State Nano Urea Plus Nano DAP Grand Total
No.
Targeted Trials Targeted Trials Targeted Trials
Conducted Conducted Conducted1 Andhra 4 4 40 39 44 43
Pradesh
2 Andman & 5 5 5 5
Nicobar
3 Arunachal 1 1 1 1
Pradesh
4 Assam 4 4 55 55 59 59
5 Bihar 8 8 100 100 108 108
6 Chhattisgarh 6 6 20 20 26 26
7 Gujarat 12 12 80 80 92 92
8 Haryana 10 11 50 52 60 63
9 Himachal 4 4 20 20 24 24
Pradesh
10 Jammu And 0 4 20 19 20 23
Kashmir
11 Jharkhand 4 4 20 20 24 24
12 Karnataka 8 8 80 80 88 88
13 Kerala 2 2 20 16 22 18
14 Madhya 10 10 80 80 90 90
Pradesh
15 Maharashtra 12 12 90 90 102 102
16 Manipur 2 2 2 2
17 Mizoram 8 8 8 8
18 Odisha 4 4 60 60 64 64
19 Punjab 14 14 50 50 64 6420 Rajasthan 14 14 60 60 74 74
21 Tamil Nadu 14 14 85 86 99 100
22 Telangana 10 10 40 40 50 50
23 Tripura 4 4 4 4
24 Uttar Pradesh 44 44 150 150 194 194
25 Uttarakhand 6 6 59 59 65 65
26 West Bengal 10 10 70 70 80 80
27 G Total 200 205 1270 1266 1470 1471
Annexure-II
State wise, Agroclimatic Zone (ACZ) wise, Nano Fertilisers Field Trials by IFFCO (in nos.),
during RABI, 2024-25, (Oct-2024 to Mar-2025)
S. State Nano Urea Plus Nano DAP Grand Total
No.
Targeted Trials Targeted Trials Targeted Trials
Conducted Conducted Conducted
1 Andhra 4 7 40 43 5 6
Pradesh
2 Andman & 5 6
Nicobar
3 Arunachal 1 1 1 1
Pradesh
4 Assam 4 20 55 55 59 75
5 Bihar 8 8 100 105 108 113
6 Chhattisgarh 6 7 20 19 26 26
7 Gujarat 12 12 80 80 92 92
8 Haryana 10 9 50 53 60 629 Himachal 4 4 20 20 24 24
Pradesh
10 Jammu And 4 20 20 20 24
Kashmir
11 Jharkhand 4 6 20 20 24 26
12 Karnataka 8 4 80 48 88 52
13 Kerala 2 2 20 15 22 17
14 Madhya 10 10 80 80 90 90
Pradesh
15 Maharashtra 12 12 90 92 102 104
16 Manipur 2 2 2 2
17 Mizoram 8 8 8 8
18 Odisha 4 4 60 62 64 66
19 Punjab 14 14 50 50 64 64
20 Rajasthan 14 35 60 60 74 95
21 Tamil Nadu 14 14 85 84 99 98
22 Telangana 10 10 40 40 50 50
23 Tripura 4 3 4 3
24 Uttar Pradesh 44 46 150 150 194 196
25 Uttarakhand 6 5 59 48 65 53
26 West Bengal 10 10 70 70 80 80
27 G Total 200 243 1270 1234 1470 1477
Annexure-IIIState wise, Agroclimatic Zone (ACZ) wise, Nano Fertilisers Field Trials by IFFCO (in Nos.)
during KHARIF, 2025 (April to September-2025)
S. State Nano Urea Plus Nano DAP Grand Total
No.
Targeted Trials Targeted Trials Targeted Trials
Conducted Conducted Conducted
1 Andhra 4 4 40 41 44 45
Pradesh
2 Andman & 5 0 5 0
Nicobar
3 Arunachal 1 1 1 1
Pradesh
4 Assam 4 4 55 57 59 61
5 Bihar 8 8 100 104 108 112
6 Chhattisgarh 6 7 20 22 26 29
7 Gujarat 12 12 80 80 92 92
8 Haryana 10 10 50 57 60 67
9 Himachal 4 4 20 20 24 24
Pradesh
10 Jammu And 0 5 20 20 20 25
Kashmir
11 Jharkhand 4 6 20 21 24 27
12 Karnataka 8 15 80 80 88 95
13 Kerala 2 1 20 12 22 13
14 Madhya 10 10 80 76 90 86
Pradesh
15 Maharashtra 12 11 90 84 102 9516 Manipur 2 2 2 2
17 Mizoram 0 1 8 8 8 9
18 Odisha 4 4 60 60 64 64
19 Punjab 14 14 50 50 64 64
20 Rajasthan 14 35 60 63 74 98
21 Tamil Nadu 14 17 85 71 99 88
22 Telangana 10 10 40 40 50 50
23 Tripura 4 4 4 4
24 Uttar Pradesh 44 52 150 134 194 186
25 Uttarakhand 6 5 59 35 65 40
26 West Bengal 10 10 70 70 80 80
27 G Total 200 245 1269 1212 1469 1457
Annexure-IV
State wise, Agroclimatic Zone (ACZ) wise Nano Fertilisers Field Trials by IFFCO (in Nos.),
during RABI, 2025-26 (Oct-2025 to Mar-2026, as on 23.03.2026)
S. State Nano Urea Plus Nano DAP Grand Total
No.
Targeted Trials Targeted Trials Targeted Trials
Conducted Conducted Conducted
1 Andhra 4 4 40 40 44 44
Pradesh
2 Andman & 5 0 5 0
Nicobar
3 Arunachal 1 1 1 1
Pradesh
4 Assam 4 4 55 55 59 595 Bihar 8 9 100 100 108 109
6 Chhattisgarh 6 3 20 19 26 22
7 Gujarat 12 12 80 80 92 92
8 Haryana 10 10 50 58 60 68
9 Himachal 4 4 20 20 24 24
Pradesh
10 Jammu And 0 5 20 20 20 25
Kashmir
11 Jharkhand 4 4 20 20 24 24
12 Karnataka 8 8 80 80 88 88
13 Kerala 2 2 20 20 22 22
14 Madhya 10 10 80 83 90 93
Pradesh
15 Maharashtra 12 19 90 92 102 111
16 Manipur 2 2 2 2
17 Mizoram 8 8 8 8
18 Odisha 4 4 60 60 64 64
19 Punjab 14 15 50 50 64 65
20 Rajasthan 14 39 60 62 74 101
21 Tamil Nadu 14 15 85 85 99 100
22 Telangana 10 10 40 40 50 50
23 Tripura 4 4 4 4
24 Uttar Pradesh 44 47 150 153 194 200
25 Uttarakhand 6 5 59 50 65 5526 West Bengal 10 10 70 70 80 80
27 G Total 200 239 1269 1272 1469 1511
Annexure-V
Results of Experiment
1. Incorporation of FYM along with optimal dose of NPK, improved soil physical properties (Soil
aggregates, bulk density, total porosity and hydraulic conductivity).
2. The practice of applying only fertilizers has resulted in considerable drop down in soil pH,
especially with higher levels of NPK and N alone.
3. Application of FYM as soil amendment is more effective than lime as former has not only
moderating effect but also supplies nutrients like N, P, K and other micronutrients.
4. Buildup of available phosphorus is recorded in plots treated with 100% and 150% dose of P while,
marginal buildup of K is recorded in plots that received 100% potassium.
5. Reduced level of phosphorus application (50% P) would be beneficial in terms of saving fertilizers
as well as sustaining the crop productivity in P buildup soils.
6. Available S content in soil markedly increased when SSP fertilizer was given as P source but
decreased when treated with DAP. Sulphur deficiency was observed due to continuous application
DAP fertilizer as P source.
7. There was a marginal decline of Ca content in soil in all treatments except those treated with lime
and FYM.
8. Deficiency of micronutrients is not found as the balanced application of nutrients using organic
manure is taking care of micronutrients by mobilization from the reserve source of residual bio-
mass added to soil.
9. Balanced and integrated use of nutrients improved soil organic carbon status, the beneficial
microbiological population and enzyme activities in soil.
10. The minimum amount (threshold) of carbon required to maintain initial carbon level in soil is
dependent on initial content of carbon in soil and climate and it was found to be 3600 kg/ ha/year.
11. Integrated use of inorganic fertilizers and organic manures not only sustained the soil productivity
on long term basis but also improved the nutrient use efficiency.
12. The sustainable yield index (SYI) of maize and finger millet over the years is found highest in the
plots which received NPK+FYM+lime and 150% NPK, respectively.
13. Higher Soil Quality Index is recorded in T10 (NPK+FYM+ lime) followed by T8 (NPK+FYM)
treatments and lower SQI is recorded in control and imbalanced treatments.
14. Soil pH, K, Ca, Mg and microbial biomass carbon are important soil indicators to be taken care of
for improving soil quality. Practical Significance: Applying the optimal dose of fertilizers integrated
with organic sources such as FYM is essential for sustaining crop productivity and improving long-
term soil health. Indiscriminate or imbalanced use of nitrogenous fertilizers drastically reduces yield
and leads to significant deterioration of soil health. Farmers should be discouraged from applying
only nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizers (such as DAP and urea) for finger millet. The inclusion of
potassium, along with recommended doses of nitrogen and phosphorus, is crucial for achieving
sustained higher yields. The commonly used high-analysis fertilizer DAP should be supplemented
with secondary nutrients, as continuous reliance on DAP alone has contributed to widespread
secondary nutrient deficiencies. Continuous application of the recommended dose of phosphorus
has been observed to cause soil phosphorus buildup. In such situations, applying half the
recommended phosphorus dose is sufficient to meet the crop's needs without compromising yield.(Source: UAS, GKVK, Bengaluru)
Practical Significance:
Applying the optimal dose of fertilizers integrated with organic sources such as FYM is essential for
sustaining crop productivity and improving long-term soil health.
Indiscriminate or imbalanced use of nitrogenous fertilizers drastically reduces yield and leads to
significant deterioration of soil health.
Farmers should be discouraged from applying only nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizers (such as
DAP and urea) for finger millet. The inclusion of potassium, along with recommended doses of
nitrogen and phosphorus, is crucial for achieving sustained higher yields.
The commonly used high-analysis fertilizer DAP should be supplemented with secondary nutrients,
as continuous reliance on DAP alone has contributed to widespread secondary nutrient deficiencies.
Continuous application of the recommended dose of phosphorus has been observed to cause soil
phosphorus buildup. In such situations, applying half the recommended phosphorus dose is sufficient to
meet the crop's needs without compromising yield.
This information was given by the Minister for Chemicals and Fertilizers, Shri Jagat Prakash Nadda, in
a written reply in the Lok Sabha today.
******
Neeraj Kumar Bhatt/ Amit Kumar/ Shatrughna Prasad
cmc.fertilizers[at]gmail[dot]com
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