Now Reading: Nano fertilisers could cut India’s import dependence, but need testing
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Nano fertilisers could cut India’s import dependence, but need testing
Nano fertilisers could cut India’s import dependence, but need testing
India imports roughly 30 to 50 per cent of its finished fertiliser requirement, while its fertiliser subsidy bill has repeatedly exceeded Rs 1.75 lakh crore in recent years, according to the Deccan…
The Story in Brief
India imports roughly 30 to 50 per cent of its finished fertiliser requirement, while its fertiliser subsidy bill has repeatedly exceeded Rs 1.75 lakh crore in recent years, according to the Deccan Herald. Nano fertilisers could reduce this dependence by improving nutrient uptake and lowering application volumes. Commercially launched in 2021, nano fertiliser sales have crossed 1,593 lakh bottles, including more than 1,219 lakh bottles of nano urea, government data cited by the newspaper show.
Conventional urea has nutrient-use efficiency of about 30 to 40 per cent. The Deccan Herald says nano products should complement, not replace, conventional fertilisers in many farming systems. Studies have reported different results across crops and regions, making crop-specific trials and soil-based guidance necessary. The government’s PM-PRANAM scheme also links lower chemical fertiliser use with subsidy savings for agricultural development.
The Indian Opinion
The easy narrative is that nano fertilisers will quickly make India self-reliant, while the opposing claim is that they are merely a costly substitute. Neither is supported by the evidence presented here. Their value depends on crop, soil and application, and sales figures alone do not prove higher yields or lower farm costs. The useful test is whether controlled trials show equal or better yields with less fertiliser across major crops, without shifting risk to farmers.
Source: deccanherald.com
This story was synthesised by AI from the source linked above.
