Mandaviya asks farmers to reduce the use of chemical fertilizers by 20% in the Rabi season

Union Chemicals and Fertilizers Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Tuesday asked farmers to reduce the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides by 20 percent in the upcoming Rabi season and promised strict action against those using the subsidized urea for other purposes than agriculture use.

Addressing nearly 1,000 farmers in 500 PMKSKs (Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samridhi Kendra) here, Union Chemicals and Fertilizers Minister Mansukh Mandaviya expressed concern over excessive use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides that are affecting soil fertility and also human health.

“Alternatives available”

“We need to reduce the use of chemical fertilizers. There are now alternatives such as nano-liquid urea, nano-liquid DAP, biofertilizer and PROM (Phosphate Rich Organic Manure). I request farmers to reduce chemical fertilizer consumption by 20 percent in the coming Rabi season. This should be replaced with alternative plant nutrients,” he said.

The minister’s appeal assumes significance as sales of urea, DAP and complex fertilizers were 57 per cent above the target of about 52 lakh tonnes in August even as monsoon rains led to a 36 per cent deficit last month.

The minister also urged PMKSK operators to educate farmers about the need to reduce the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides.

Warning for traders

Mandaviya also warned traders and fertilizer manufacturers against diverting heavily subsidized urea to the industry. “We have adopted a zero-tolerance policy against diversion of agricultural grade urea into the industry. “A detailed action plan has been prepared to address the diversion,” the minister was quoted as saying in a fertilizer ministry statement.

In the past, there have been cases where agro-grade urea was diverted to industries producing resin/glue, plywood, tableware, molding powder, animal feed and industrial mining explosives as the neem coated areas provided farmers with ₹266/bag after the subsidy 45 kg cost.

Meanwhile, the minister also said that the government plans to organize ‘Kisan Samridhi Mahotsav’ in mid-October to highlight the initiatives taken in the last nine years to increase farmers’ income, during which ‘Krishi Ratha Yatras’ will also be organized. Coincidentally, this will happen during the election campaign in five states that are scheduled to hold elections in December.