(a) Whether the Government has been implementing Nutrient Based Subsidy (NBS) Scheme:
(b) If so, the salient features of the Scheme;
(c) The benefits likely to accrue to the farmers under the Scheme;
(d) Whether the Government also propose to promote sustainable agriculture and avoid using chemical fertilizers indiscriminately;
(e) If so. the details thereof; and
(f) The steps taken/proposed to be taken by the Government to promote sustainable agriculture?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF CHEMICALS AND FERILIZERS (SHRI HANSRAJ GANGARAM AHIR)
(a) and (b): Yes. Sir. The Nutrient Based Subsidy (NBS) Policy is being implemented w.e.f. 1.4.2010 by the Department of Fertilizers and under the said policy, a fixed amount of subsidy decided on annual basis, is provided on each grade of subsidized Phosphatic & Potassic (P&K) fertilizers depending on its Nutrient Content At present 22 grades of P&K fertilizers are covered under the NBS Policy. The other salient features of the NBS Scheme are annexed.
(c) The benefits accrue to the farmers are as under:
i. The P&K fertilizes are made available to farmers in adequate quantities.
ii. More grades of P&K fertilizers have brought under the purview of NBS Scheme giving the farmers wider choice to use complex fertilizer grades.
(d) to (f) To improve fertility of soil and promote sustainable agriculture in the county.
Government is implementing the following schemes/ projects:
I. Soil Health Management (SHM) programme under National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA) assists State Governments in following components:
i. Setting up of static/mobile soil testing laboratories (STLs).
ii. Strengthening of static/mobile STLs.
iii. Trainings and demonstrations on balanced use of fertilizers.
II. In current year. Soil Health Card Scheme is introduced to assist State Governments to issue soil health cards to all farmers in the country. Soil health card will provide information to farmers on nutrient status of their soil along with recommendation on appropriate dosage of nutrients to be applied for improving soil health and its fertility. Soil Health status will be assessed regularly in a cycle of 3 years so that nutrient deficiencies are identified and amendments applied.
Under SHM Programme, during the current year. 9 new static Soil Testing Laboratories (STLs). 56 new mobile STLs, strengthening of 2 STLs have been sanctioned to States apart from 354 trainings and 420 demonstrations.
Under `Soil Health Card` scheme, a sum of Rs. 23.59 crore has been released to States towards soil sampling, training, awareness creation.