Question : Direct Fertilizer Subsidy

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

(a) the details of fertilizer subsidy provided to farmersduring the last three years and the current year, state/UTwise and year-wise;

(b) whether the Government proposes to reduce fertilizer subsidy, if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether the government is planning to create a comprehensive database of beneficiary farmers to ensure that the benefits of fertilizer subsidy reach the poor and marginalised farmers;

(d) whether the Government is planning to give direct fertilizer subsidy to farmers as per the recommendations of High Level Committee Report in Food Corporation of India, if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;

(e) whether the present subsidy regime on fertilizer has led to indiscriminate use of Urea adversely affecting soil quality, if so, the details of corrective action taken to ensure judicious use of fertilizers; and

(f) whether the Nutrient Based Fertilizer Policy has improved the micro-nutrient levels in the soil, if so, the details thereof, and if not, the details of measures being taken to improve soil health?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS

(SHRI HANSRAJ GANGARAM AHIR)
(a): Fertilizer subsidies paid during the last three years and current years (up to October 2015), year-wise,are as in table below:

-: 2 :-
(Rupees in crores)
Particulars 2012-13 2013-14 2014-15 2015-16
(Upto Oct’ 2015)

Indigenous Urea 20000.00 26500.00 38200.01 34863.97
Imported Urea 20016.00 15353.30 16200.00 10158.90
Indigenous P&K Fertilizers 16000.00 15500.00 12000.00 8998.73
Imported P&K Fertilizers 14576.10 13926.86 8667.30 6257.58

State/UT-wise subsidy paid figures are not available as the subsidies are released to fertilizers companies

(b) : At present, there is no such proposal in the Department of Fertilizers.

(c) : Yes, Madam. The proposal for Proof of Concept (POC) for capturing retailer’s sale along with buyer’s identification is under consideration of the Department of Fertilizers.

(d) : No, Madam. Implementation of DBT as recommended by High Level Committee (HLC) for Department of Food will require resolution of major policy issues such as (i) Decontrol of Urea; (ii) Identification of beneficiaries; (iii) Determination of scale of entitlements. Comments of Department of Fertilizers have already been communicated to Department of Food.

(e) : There is no scientific evidence of adverse effect on soil quality from judicious use of chemical fertilizers. However, indiscriminate and imbalanced use of fertilizers coupled with low addition of organic matter over years may result into multi-nutrient deficiencies. To ensure judicious use of fertilizers Government is recommending soil test based balanced and integrated nutrient management through conjunctive use of both inorganic and organic sources of plant nutrient. There is no study in Department of Agriculture, Cooperation and Farmers Welfare on effect of Nutrient Based Fertilizer Policy on micro-nutrient levels in soils.

(f) : To improve soil health, apart from integrated nutrient management, Soil Health Card Scheme has been launched during February, 2015 to assist State Governments to issue soil health cards to all farmers in the country. Soil health cards 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 nutrient status will be assessed in all the 14 crore farm holdings regularly in a cycle of 3 years so that nutrient deficiencies are identified and amendments applied

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