Question : USE OF WATER SOLUBLE FERTILIZERS

(a) whether it is a fact that the yield of various crops from the use of water soluble fertilizers is higher than that of conventional fertilizers in the country, if so, the details thereof, crop-wise;

(b) whether it is also a fact that the water soluble fertilizers are costlier than the conventional fertilizers in the country, if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether the Government proposes to provide subsidy on water soluble fertilizers in the same proportion as on the conventional fertili- zers in order to make them affordable to the farmers, if so, the details thereof; and

(d) the other steps taken by the Government to promote water soluble fertilizers in the country and to make them affordable for farmers of the country?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE (SHRI MOHANBHAI KUNDARIA)

(a): Crop experiments have shown that use of water soluble fertilizers through drip irrigation can result in savings in water (15-40%) and fertilizer (20-50%). Crop-wise details regarding saving in water and fertilizer due to use of water soluble fertilizers at various locations is enclosed as Annexure I.

(b): Prices of water soluble fertilizers are not a controlled item and therefore, no such data is maintained.

(c): At present there is no proposal to provide subsidy on water soluble fertilizers.

(d): Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) imparts training, organises field demonstrations to educate farmers on advantages of use of water soluble fertilizers. Seventeen grades of water soluble fertilizers have been notified so far under the Fertiliser (Control) Order, 1985 to ensure availability of quality water soluble fertilizers to the farmers.