New Delhi, Aug 5: The Government of India is encouraging the concept of balanced and judicious use of fertilizer.
Soil Health and Fertility Scheme introduced in the year 2014 with objective to assist states in promoting Integrated Nutrient Management (INM) through judicious use of chemical fertilizers including secondary and micro nutrients in conjunction with organic manures & bio-fertilizers for improving soil health and its productivity. Soil Samples are processed following standard procedures and analyzed for various parameters viz, pH, electrical conductivity (EC), Organic Carbon, available Nitrogen, Phosphorous, Potassium, Sulphur and micronutrients (Zinc, Copper, Iron, Manganese & Boron). Soil Health Card provides information to farmers on soil nutrient status of their soil and recommendation on appropriate dosage of nutrients to be applied for improving soil health and its fertility. Under the scheme, 25.13 Cr. soil health cards have been issued to farmers. 93781 farmer's trainings, 6.80 lakh demonstrations, 7425 farmer's melas/campaigns on soil health card recommendations have been organized across the country.
The Government of India has notified alternative fertilizers namely, Organic Fertilisers, Bio-fertilisers, De-oiled cake, Organic Carbon Enhancer and Nano fertiliser in The Fertiliser Control Order, 1985 to encourage nutrient management.
Organic farming is promoted through Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY) in all the States/UTs except North Eastern States and Mission Organic Value Chain Development for North Eastern Region (MOVCDNER) for the North Eastern States. Under PKVY assistance of Rs. 31,500 per hectare in 3 years is provided for promotion of organic farming. Out of this, assistance of Rs. 15,000 per ha is provided to farmers through Direct Benefit Transfer for on- farm /off -farm organic inputs including organic compost. Under MOVCDNER, assistance of Rs. 46,500 per hectare in 3 years is provided for creation of Farmers Producer Organization, support to farmers for organic inputs etc. Out of this, assistance @ Rs. 32500 per hectare is provided to farmers for off -farm /on-farm organic inputs under the scheme including Rs. 15,000 as Direct Benefit Transfer to the farmers.
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), on June 28, 2023, approved the "PM Programme for Restoration. Awareness Generation, Nourishment, and Amelioration of Mother Earth (PM PRANAM)”. The initiative 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.
This information was given by the Union Minister of State for Chemicals and Fertilizers Anupriya Patel in Rajya Sabha in a written reply to a question today.
