Parliamentary Standing Committee on Chemicals and Fertilizers, led by Trinamool Congress MP Kirti Azad, has urged the Union Fertilizers Ministry to seek additional funds at the revised estimate stage to prevent negative impacts on fertilizer subsidy schemes for farmers.
Key Recommendations:
Expand production capacity of Nano Urea and Nano DAP by ensuring timely establishment of production units.
Secure mining lease agreements for extraction, exploration, refining, and production of raw materials, rather than just facilitating import agreements.
Budget Concerns:
Department of Fertilizers projected an outlay of ₹1,84,704.63 crore for 2025-26.
Ministry of Finance reduced this by 7.38% to ₹1,71,082.44 crore.
Reduction affects both Nutrient-Based Subsidy (NBS) Scheme and Urea Subsidy Scheme, potentially impacting subsidy distribution.
Underutilisation of Funds (2024-25):
20% under indigenous phosphorus and potassium (PK) fertilizers.
12% under imported PK fertilizers.
14.76% under indigenous urea.
59.57% under Market Development Assistance (MDA).
Recommended full utilization of allocated funds in a planned manner.
Impact of Nano Urea and Nano DAP:
Nano Urea combined with conventional urea led to increased crop yield.
Highest yield improvement: Peas (6.14% to 14.82%).
Lowest yield improvement: Sugarcane (1.65% to 4%).
Nano DAP trials indicate potential reduction in conventional granular DAP usage when used for seed treatment and foliar application.
Recommendation: Expand Nano Urea and Nano DAP production capacity with timely establishment of new units.
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