Question : USE OF CHEMICAL FERTILISERS

(a) whether the fertility of agricultural land throughout the country is continuously decreasing, due to use of chemical fertilisers/ urea;

(b) if so, the preventive measures taken by the Government in this regard;

(c) whether the Government proposes to make investment for production of biofertilisers and to impart training to the farmers for judicious use of chemical fertilisers;

(d) if so, the details thereof;

(e) whether the farmers in the country are provided lesser subsidy on fertilisers in comparison to their counterparts in other countries of the world;

(f) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor; and

(g) the steps taken by the Government to enhance the subsidy to the farmers?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION (PROF. K.V. THOMAS)

(a): There is no scientific evidence of decreasing soil fertility with judicious use of chemical fertilizers. However, indiscriminate or injudicious use of chemical fertilizers coupled with low addition of organic matter have resulted in deterioration of soil health in the country particularly in the intensively cultivated areas of Indo-Gangetic plains.

(b): The Government has launched the “National Project on Management of Soil Health & Fertility” during 2008-09 to promote soil test based balanced and judicious use of fertilizers for improving soil health and its productivity. The scheme includes setting up new static/mobile soil testing laboratories, strengthening of existing soil testing laboratories, training of soil testing laboratory staff / extension officers/ farmers, field demonstrations on balanced use of fertilizers, promoting use of organic manure, soil amendments and micronutrients.

The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) also imparts training and organizes field demonstrations to educate farmers on these aspects.

(c) & (d): The Government is providing incentive in the form of credit linked back ended subsidy for establishment of bio-fertilizers production units under Ntional Project on Organic Farming @ 25% of total outlay restricted to Rs.40.00 lakh per unit. Funds amounting to Rs.7.68 crore have been released under NPOF for setting up of 55 bio-fertilizer production units since 2004.

Under National Project on Management of Soil Health & Fertility, training programmes are organized for farmers on balanced and judicious use of fertilizers. So far, 539 training programmes have been sanctioned under the scheme.

(e) to (g): While information on quantum of subsidy on fertilizers in other countries is not maintained by the Government, 60% of the cost of fertilizers in the country is borne by the Government by way of subsidy.