Question : Chemical Fertilizers and Global Warming

Will the Minister of CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS be pleased to state:

(a) whether chemical fertilizers consist of substances like methane, carbon dioxide, ammonia and nitrogen the emission of which has contributed to a great extent in the emergence of greenhouse effect threatening the environment with global warming and climate change, if so, the details of the efforts and schemes implemented/proposed to discourage the use of chemical fertilizers; and

(b) the details of the companies which are involved in the production of chemical fertilizers in the country along with the quantum of chemical fertilizers being produced per annum by these companies?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF CHEMICALS AND FERILIZERS

(SHRI HANSRAJ GANGARAM AHIR)

(a): Fertilizer production requires raw materials like nitric acid and ammonia. Production of these raw materials generate greenhouse gases like Carbon dioxide ( CO2 ), Nitrous Oxide ( N2O ). As per India’s first Biennial Update Report (BUR) submitted to United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), in 2010 ammonia production and nitric acid production in the country contributed 12602.12 Gigagram (Gg) of CO2 emission and 7 Gg of N2O emission (which is equivalent to 2170.29 Gg of CO2 ) respectively. Further, fertilizer application in agriculture sector contributed 261.55 Gg of N2O, which is equivalent to 81080.50 Gg of CO2 emissions.


In order to discourage use of chemical fertilizers following steps have been taken :-

(i) Government is promoting use of City Compost . In this regard financial assistance of Rs. 1500/- MT is provided for sale of City Compost to farmers.

(ii) The Government of India implementing Soil Health management under NMSA to promote soil test based balanced and judicious use of fertilizers for improving soil health and its fertility through setting up strengthening soil testing laboratories, trainings and field demonstrations on balanced use of fertilizers.


(b): Details of companies which are production of chemical fertilizers in the country along with the quantum of chemical fertilizers are given in Annexure.


*********