MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE (SHRI SHARAD PAWAR)
(a) to (e): A statement is laid on the Table of the House.
STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (e) OF LOK SABHA
STARRED QUESTION NO. 180 DUE FOR REPLY ON 17TH DECEMBER, 2013.
(a) & (b): There is no scientific evidence of declining soil fertility from judicious
use of chemical fertilizers. However, indiscriminate and imbalanced use of fertilizers
coupled with low addition of organic matter may result in multinutrient deficiencies and
deterioration of soil health over time. There is possibility of contamination of ground
water due to excessive use of nitrogenous fertilizers, particularly in light textured
soils, that has consequence on human and animal health if used for drinking purpose.
(c): Government is recommending soil test based balanced and Integrated Nutrient
Management through conjunctive use of both inorganic and organic sources of plant
nutrients to reduce the use of chemical fertilizers thereby preventing deterioration
of soil health and contamination of ground water. Indian Council of Agricultural
Research (ICAR) is recommending split application and placement of fertilizers,
use of slow releasing nitrogenous fertilizers and nitrification inhibitors, and
growing of leguminous crops. ICAR also imparts training and organizes Front Line
Demonstrations to educate farmers on these aspects.
Under National Project on Management of Soil Health & Fertility, financial assistance of
Rs. 10,000/- per training is provided to State Governments for organizing training
programmes for farmers on importance of soil testing and on balanced use of fertilizers
in crop productivity.
Government is promoting organic farming through National Project on Organic Farming, National
Horticulture Mission, Horticulture Mission for North East and Himalayan States (HMNEH),
Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojna (RKVY) and Network Project on Organic Farming under ICAR.
Under National Project on Organic Farming various books / leaflets etc. prepared by
National Centre of Organic Farming are distributed free of cost to educate farmers
on adoption of organic farming. During the current financial year, initiative has been
taken for broadcasting of Radio Spots on benefits of organic farming and judicious use
of fertilizers to retain soil health.
Under National Horticulture Mission, Human Resource Development has been included as one
of the major component under which training and exposure visits are used to educate the
farmers about the use of balanced fertilizers and adoption of organic farming.
(d): Indian Institute of Soil Science, Bhopal has prepared geo-referenced soil fertility
maps of 170 districts. These geo-referenced maps are useful in identification of areas
where soil is malnourished and lacks vital nutrients, in monitoring soil fertility, and
in fertilizer recommendations for balanced nutrient application.
(e): Statements indicating State-wise number of soil testing laboratories and
soil health cards issued to the farmers are given at Annexure - I & II respectively.
