Moving from Urea-in-a-bag to Nano DAP fertiliser in-a-bottle is a good idea and would be farmer freindly, but organic farming must be promoted   

Recently IFFCO launched its Nano fertilizer which can be sprayed in the field and is an upgrade of urea in the bag. Launching the Nano fertilizer, Amit Shah, Minister of Home Affairs & Minister of Cooperation said, “Successful co-operative societies coming out of their framework for research and foraying into new fields have made it a source of inspiration for all co-operative societies today.”

The Nano DAP is indeed a way forward and has many advantages associated with its use. Keeping in view the hazards of chemical fertilizers IFFCO has produced the world’s first Nano DAP Liquid Fertiliser as the substitute for chemical solid fertilizers. It is cheaper than Conventional DAP. One bag of DAP is ?1350 while one bottle of Nano DAP Liquid is just ? 600. It is biologically safe to use and aims to reduce soil, water and air pollution and it will lead to a significant reduction in dependence on DAP Imports.

Fertilizers have played a crucial role in the success of the Green Revolution and have been instrumental in meeting the increasing demand for food. Since the Green Revolution in the 1960s, chemical fertilizers have been widely used to increase crop yields.

The Green Revolution  saw a significant rise in food grain production. Urea was touted as the major ingredient for it.  It was a success story keeping in mind that just 20 years back India had suffered from the world’s worst recorded food crisis; the Bengal Famine, which led to the death of approximately 4 million people. Green Revolution made India self-reliant. The Green revolution  refers to the turnaround in the yield of foodgrains, especially in Haryana and Punjab. Indian Agriculture was galvanized by the adoption of modern methods and technology. Thus, India became self-sufficient in food grains and had sufficient stock in the central pool, even, at times, India was in a position to export food grains. The Green Revolution brought about large-scale farm mechanization which created a demand for different types of machines like tractors, harvesters, threshers, combines, diesel pumping sets, etc.

But it had a downside too which is becoming more and more prominent in recent years. It led to an exponential rise in demand for chemical fertilizers, pesticides, insecticides, weedicides, etc. It also promoted capitalist farming. Little or no efforts were made to educate farmers about the high risk associated with the intensive use of pesticides. Pesticides were sprayed on crops usually by untrained farm labourers without following instructions or precautions. The large-scale use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides resulted in several critical illnesses including cancer and renal failure.

The Nano DAP fertilizer can effectively bring about a second green revolution which would be environmentally safe, economically viable and socially sustainable. Nano DAP Liquid is an efficient source of Nitrogen & Phosphorus and helps in overcoming Nitrogen & Phosphorus deficiencies in plants. The Nano Di-ammonium Phosphate (DAP) liquid fertiliser was developed by the Indian Farmers Fertiliser Cooperative IFFCO. It is claimed that it is biologically safe and Eco- friendly, fit for residue-free green farming.

But having said this, the excessive reliance on chemical fertilisers particularly nitrogenous fertilizers such as urea must be checked and discouraged and organic fertilizers must be promoted by the government on a much larger scale. Chemical fertilizers cannot be a substitute for organic manure. The main emphasis should be given to organic farming which many farmers are practicing successfully. Government must pay heed to organic farming which is the only solution for health, environment and soil. 

(The writer is a business consultant and development writer. Views expressed are personal)