Govt Approves PM-PRANAM to Enhance Balanced Use of Fertilisers; Rs 3.68 Lakh Cr Subsidy on Urea Until Mar 2025Published 1 hour in the past

The Centre on Wednesday authorised a brand new scheme PM-PRANAM to incentivise states to advertise different fertilisers and scale back using chemical fertilisers and in addition determined to proceed the present urea subsidy scheme for 3 years ending March 2025, with an outlay of Rs 3.68 lakh crore.

That aside, the Cupboard Committee on Financial Affairs (CCEA), chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, authorised an outlay of Rs 1,451 crore subsidy to advertise natural manure, taking the full bundle to over Rs 3.70 lakh crore.

The CCEA additionally determined to introduce sulphur-coated urea (Urea Gold) within the nation for the primary time to handle sulphur deficiency within the soil.

Briefing media, Union Chemical substances and Fertilisers Minister Mansukh Mandaviya mentioned the CCEA has authorised a scheme PM-PRANAM (PM Programme for Restoration, Consciousness, Technology, Nourishment and Amelioration of Mom Earth).

“PM-PRANAM is aimed toward saving the soil and promote sustainable balanced use of fertilisers. The scheme entails the participation of the state governments,” he mentioned.

Underneath the scheme, Mandaviya mentioned that the states, which is able to undertake different fertilisers will likely be incentivised with the subsidy that’s saved by lowering using chemical fertilisers.

Citing instance, suppose a state is utilizing 10 lakh tonne of typical fertiliser, and if it reduces its consumption by 3 lakh tonne, then the subsidy saving can be Rs 3,000 crore. Out of that subsidy financial savings, the Centre will give 50 per cent of it — Rs 1,500 crore to the state for selling using different fertiliser and different improvement works, he added.

The scheme was introduced by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in her Price range speech in February.

In response to an official assertion, the CCEA authorised a “distinctive bundle” of progressive schemes for farmers with a complete outlay of Rs 3,70,128.7 crore.

“The bouquet of schemes is concentrated on the general well-being and financial betterment of farmers by selling sustainable agriculture. The initiatives will enhance farmers’ revenue, strengthen pure/natural farming, rejuvenate soil productiveness and guarantee meals safety,” it added.

The CCEA authorised the continuation of the urea subsidy Scheme to make sure fixed availability of fertiliser to the farmers on the identical worth of Rs 242/45 kg bag, excluding taxes and neem coating expenses.

Out of the full bundle, Rs 3,68,676.7 crore has been dedicated for urea subsidy for 3 years (2022-23 to 2024-25). That is aside from the just lately authorised nutrient-based subsidy of Rs 38,000 crore for phosphatic and potassic (P&Okay) fertilisers through the Kharif season of 2023-24.

On sulphur-coated urea, Mandaviya mentioned that the nation has been utilizing solely urea, DAP and NPK fertilisers for the final 67 years. The efforts to advertise different fertilisers and arrange manufacturing models couldn’t occur prior to now. Nevertheless, the Modi authorities initiated the work.

Sulphur-coated urea is extra economical and environment friendly than the opposite sorts of urea. For example, the nitrogen absorption in typical urea is 30 per cent, neem-coated urea is 50 per cent, and nano urea is 80 per cent. Sulphur-coated urea will enhance nitrogen absorption effectivity to 78 per cent.

“It can tackle Sulphur deficiency within the soil within the nation. It can additionally save enter prices for the farmers, and in addition increase incomes for farmers with enhanced manufacturing and productiveness,” the assertion mentioned.

On offering help to natural manure, the minister mentioned Rs 1,451.84 crore has been authorised for Market Growth Help (MDA) for selling natural fertiliser from Gobardhan Crops.

Underneath the scheme, a subsidy of Rs 1,500 per tonne will likely be offered to help the advertising of natural fertilisers — Fermented Natural Manures (FOM)/Liquid FOM/Phosphate Wealthy Natural Manures (PROM) produced as by-products from Biogas Crops/Compressed Biogas (CBG) Crops arrange below umbrella GOBARdhan initiative.

Asserting that the federal government is pro-poor and pro-farmers, Mandaviya mentioned the Centre has offered Rs 6,30,890 crore throughout 2022-23 below 5 schemes, together with fertiliser subsidy, PM-KISAN, Worth Stabilisation Fund, expense on procurement at MSP and NRLM.

This interprets into a median good thing about Rs 52,574 per farmer and Rs 18,108 per acre, he mentioned, including there are 12 crore farmers within the nation.

(This story has not been edited by News18 employees and is printed from a syndicated information company feed – PTI)