Will the Minister of CHEMICALS & FERTILIZERS be pleased to state:
(a) whether there is any mechanism to check the adequate availability of neem coated urea in the country;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) if not, the steps being taken in this regard; and
(d) whether the Government has stopped the use of urea other than the neem coated ones and if so, the details thereof?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT & HIGHWAYS, SHIPPING AND CHEMICALS & FERTILIZERS
(SHRI MANSUKH L. MANDAVIYA)
(a) to (c): Following mechanism is ensured/adopted to check the adequate availability of neem coated urea in the country: -
(I) Before the commencement of each cropping season, Department of Agriculture, Cooperation and Farmers Welfare (DAC&FW), in consultation with all the State Governments, assesses the requirement of fertilizers. After assessment of requirement, DAC&FW projects month-wise requirement of fertilizers.
(II) On the basis of month-wise & state-wise projection given by DAC&FW, Department of Fertilizers allocates sufficient/ adequate quantities of fertilizers to States/Union Territories by issuing monthly supply plan and continuously monitors the availability through following system: -
(i) The movement of all major subsidized fertilizers is being monitored throughout the country by an on-line web based monitoring system called integrated Fertilizer Monitoring System (iFMS);
(ii) The State Governments are regularly advised to coordinate with manufacturers and importers of fertilizers for streamlining the supplies through timely placement of indents for railway rakes through their state institutional agencies like Markfed etc.
(iii) Regular Weekly Video Conference is conducted jointly by Department of Agriculture & Cooperation and Farmers Welfare (DAC&FW), Department of Fertilizers (DoF), and Ministry of Railways with State Agriculture Officials and corrective actions are taken to dispatch fertilizer as indicated by the State Governments.
(iv) The gap between demand (requirement) and production is met through imports. The import for the season is also finalised well in advance to ensure timely availability.
(d): Yes, Madam. Department of Fertilizers has started supplyof 100% Neem Coated Urea (NCU) w.e.f. December, 2015.
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