Amit Shah urged farmers to avoid using bagged fertilizers, and go for nano-DAP
Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah stated on Wednesday that nano-urea and nano-DAP can produce the same amount of fertilizer as conventional fertilizers. He urged farmers to forego traditional fertilizer bags in favor of liquid alternatives, which IFFCO has recently introduced. Soil conservation, increased crop yield, and ease of transportation are some of the benefits that liquid fertilizers are expected to provide, in addition to assisting the government in reducing subsidy costs.
Commercializing the world’s first nano-DAP, which was approved by the government in March, Shah stated that it is a new beginning toward making India self-sufficient in fertilizers because it will increase farm productivity without negatively impacting soil health.
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Despite the fact that one bottle (500 mL) of nano-DAP is equivalent to one bag (50kg) of conventional DAP, the price of nano (liquid) DAP has been kept at 600 per bottle (without subsidy) versus 1,350 per bag (with subsidy) for conventional DAP.
Shah stated that because the overuse of chemical fertilizers is endangering the health of millions of Indians, the soil can be protected from chemical pollution by spraying liquid DAP on the plant.
Restore the soil’s health
‘Both crop quality and quantity will improve with the use of nano-DAP.’ It will be extremely beneficial in restoring the soil’s health, which has deteriorated over time. Farmers who want to switch to natural farming can do so without sacrificing their income if they begin using nano-DAP, as the liquid crop nutrient will cause the least damage to the soil and will aid in the growth of earthworms in the soil,’ Shah explained.
According to the minister, IFFCO’s nano-DAP will contain 8% nitrogen and 16% phosphorus, compared to the conventional granular bag’s 18% nitrogen and 46% phosphorus.
Shah urged farmers to avoid using granular DAP, citing scientific evidence that one bottle of nano-DAP is equivalent to one conventional 50 kg bag. Farmers, he says, are always the first to adopt new technology, and this time they will begin using the revolutionary liquid fertilizer. He added that extensive use of these farm inputs will make India ‘Atmanirbhar’ (self-sufficient) in fertilizer and reduce import dependence.
In terms of cost-cutting opportunities, Shah stated that nano-DAP can help farmers save 6% on wheat and 20% on potato and sugarcane, respectively.
IFFCO has been granted a patent
Highlighting that IFFCO alone produces 9 million tonnes (mt) of fertilizers annually, out of 13.2 mt produced by all cooperative plants and 38.4 mt produced by all (cooperatives, private, and PSUs), Shah exhorted the Board of Directors to think beyond fertilizer and expand into other areas, replicating their success in fertilizer.
According to the minister, IFFCO has a 20-year patent on nano-urea and nano-DAP and will receive a 20% royalty for the global use of the products.
IFFCO said in a statement that it has established manufacturing facilities for the production of nano DAP fertilizers in Kalol, Kandla, Gujarat, and Paradeep, Odisha. Production at the Kalol Plant has already begun, and approximately 5 crore bottles of nano-DAP (equivalent to 2.5 mt) will be produced this year.
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IFFCO’s production of 18 crore bottles of nano-DAP until 2025-26 is expected to replace 9 mt of conventional granular DAP.
According to IFFCO’s MD US Awasthi, nano DAP has been found to be very effective in improving crop nutritional quality and productivity while also having a huge positive impact on the environment, resulting in a significant reduction in global warming.
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