(a) whether the fertility of land in various States of the country are declining due to
deficiency of Potash;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether the potash fertilizers can be made available to the farmers to increase the
fertility of the land; and
(d) if so, the efforts being made in that regard?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE (SHRI HUKUMDEO NARAYAN YADAV)
(a)&(b): No, Sir. The foodgrains production in the country is steadily increasing to
show that in general there is no decline in the fertility of land. The foodgrains production
was 208.81 million tons during 1999-2000, which is estimated to be about 211 million tons
during 2001-02. The lower foodgrains production of 196 million tons during 2000-01 is
attributed to drought like situation in many States.
There are however instances of declining soil health and productivity due to
inadequate and imbalanced use of fertilizers in certain areas of the country. Based on
analysis of soils it is noticed that the crop available potassium in some of our soils is in
short supply and its use is recommended.
(c)&(d): There is no shortage of potashic fertilizers. All the fertilizers have price
support from the Government to make available fertilizers at a reasonable price to farmers.