(a) whether productivity/fertility of soil has declined due to use of pesticides/mix-fertilizers for growing agricultural crops in the country over the years;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether the Government proposes to produce organic fertilizers/urea from Neem and other natural herbs in the country;
(d) if so, the details thereof; and
(e) the corrective measures taken/proposed to be taken by the Government to maintain the fertility of soil in the country?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE ( SHRI MOHANBHAI KUNDARIA )
(a) & (b): There is no report that the productivity/fertility of soil has declined owing to judicious use of pesticides/mix fertilizers. However, indiscriminate and non judicious use of pesticides and chemical fertilizers may cause deterioration in soil.
(c) & (d) Government is promoting production of various organic fertilizers in the country under National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture through Capital Investment Subsidy Schemes for setting up of bio-fertilizer /bio pesticides production units with 100 per cent financial assistance to State governments up to a maximum of Rs.160 lakhs
per unit & 25 per cent financial assistance limited to Rs.40 lakh to individual / private agencies. For setting up of Fruit/vegetable market waste compost production unit financial assistance is providing to State Governments up to a maximum of Rs.190 lakh and 33 per cent or limited to Rs.63 lakh to private agencies.
Indigenous manufacturers/ producers of urea are allowed to produce Neem Coated Urea up to maximum of their total production of subsidized urea and to restrict the extra MRP to be charged by the companies selling Neem Coated Urea to the extent of 5% of the existing MRP of urea only i.e. Rs.5360/ per MT.
Further, it has been decided to make it mandatory for all the indigenous producers of urea to produce 75 percent of their total production of subsidized urea as Neem Coated Urea for the year 2015-16.
(e) Government is recommending Integrated Pest Management (through a combination of agronomic, chemical and biological methods) and Integrated Nutrient Management (INM) envisaging conjunctive use of both inorganic and organic sources of nutrients to maintain the fertility of soil in the country.
Apart from above, Indian Council of Agricultural Research is advocating soil test based INM, split application and placement of fertilizers, use of slow releasing N fertilizers and nitrification inhibitors, inclusion of legumes in cropping system, adoption of Resouorce Conservation Technologies (RCTs), fertigation and also imparts training, organizes Field Demonstrations to educate farmers on these aspects.
Under Soil Health Management Component of National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture, financial assistance for training to farmers including field demonstrations on balanced use of fertilizers is provided @ Rs.10,000 per training for 20 or more participants. Financial assistance for frontline field demonstrations is also provided @ Rs.20,000 per demonstration.