The Government of India is not directly involved in setting up of Nano-Fertilizers Plants across the country. Overall 7 Nano Urea plants have been set up by Fertilizer Companies with total production capacity of all these Nano Urea plants presently in operation is 27.22 crore bottles (500 ml each) per annum. Further, 3 Nano DAP plants have been set up by Fertilizer Companies with total production capacity of all these Nano DAP plants presently in operation is 7.64 crore bottles (500 ml each) per annum. Since inception, fertilizer companies have sold 10.68 crore bottles (500 ml each) of Nano Urea and 2.75 crore bottles (500 ml each) of Nano DAP across all regions of the nation, including tribal-dominated regions.

In addition to this, PSUs and other Fertilizer Companies have intimated about setting up of 3 more Nano Fertilizers Plants, with total production capacity of 17 Crore bottles (500 ml equivalent) per annum.

     In order to promote the use of Nano Fertilizers among farmers across the Nation, the following steps have been taken:

i.       The Government of India has pursued with the states on use of Nano fertilizer at various forums. In the Zonal conference for assessment of fertilizers for Kharif 2024 season, held from 5th February to 9th February, 2024, Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare (DA&FW) requested the State Governments to promote the use of nano fertiliser in their states through their extension machinery.

ii.      DA&FW during the Rabi, 2024-25 season assessed the requirements of Nano Urea and Nano DAP. DA&FW vide letter dated 3rd July, 2023 informed all the State Govt. / UTS /ICAR institutes to include FCO approved application of Nano-fertilizers as critical inputs in the cafeteria of interventions for demonstrations (Cluster Demonstrations/ Block Demonstrations/ Cluster Front Line Demonstrations/ Front Line Demonstrations) to be conducted under NFSM/ NMEO as per SAUs/ ICARs recommended package of practices.

iii.     Use of Nano Urea is promoted through different activities such as awareness camps, webinars, field demonstrations, Kisan Sammelans and films in regional languages etc.

iv.     Nano Urea and Nano DAP are made available at Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samridhi Kendras (PMKSKs) by concerned companies.

v.      Nano Urea has been included under the monthly supply plan issued by the Department of Fertilizers (DoF) regularly.

vi.     ICAR through Indian Institute of Soil Science, Bhopal recently organized a National Campaign on “Efficient and Balanced Use of Fertilizer (including Nano-fertilizers)”.

vii.    For ease in application and utilization of Nano fertilizers like Nano Urea through foliar application, initiatives such as innovative spraying options like 'Kisan Drones' and distribution of battery operated Sprayers at retail points are undertaken. For this purpose, pilot training and custom hiring spraying services through Village Level Entrepreneurs are actively promoted.

viii.   DoF in collaboration with fertilizer companies has initiated a Maha Abhiyan for adoption of Nano DAP in all 15 agro-climatic zones of the country through consultations and field level demonstrations. Further, DoF in collaboration with fertilizer companies has also launched campaigns for field level demonstrations and awareness programs of Nano Urea plus in 100 districts of the country.

This information was given by the Union Minister of State for Chemicals and Fertilizers Smt Anupriya Patel in Rajya Sabha in a written reply to a question today.

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MV/AKS