The Government of India is actively promoting the balanced and judicious use of fertilizers to enhance soil health and productivity. Since 2014, the Soil Health and Fertility Scheme has been assisting states in implementing Integrated Nutrient Management (INM), which encourages the judicious use of chemical fertilizers along with secondary and micronutrients, organic manures, and bio-fertilizers. Soil samples are analyzed for key parameters such as pH, electrical conductivity (EC), organic carbon, and available nutrients including nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, sulfur, and micronutrients like zinc, copper, iron, manganese, and boron.

The Soil Health Card (SHC) program provides farmers with detailed information about their soil nutrient status and recommendations on appropriate nutrient dosages to improve soil fertility. Under this scheme, over 25.13 crore soil health cards have been issued, complemented by 93,781 farmer trainings, 6.8 lakh demonstrations, and 7,425 farmer melas and campaigns promoting soil health card recommendations across India.

To encourage nutrient management, the Government has notified alternative fertilizers such as organic fertilizers, bio-fertilizers, de-oiled cake, organic carbon enhancers, and nano fertilizers under the Fertilizer Control Order, 1985. Organic farming is promoted through schemes like the Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY), which provides financial assistance of Rs. 31,500 per hectare over three years (including Rs. 15,000 via Direct Benefit Transfer for organic inputs), and the Mission Organic Value Chain Development for North Eastern Region (MOVCDNER), offering Rs. 46,500 per hectare over three years with direct benefits of Rs. 15,000 for organic inputs.

On June 28, 2023, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) approved the “PM Programme for Restoration, Awareness Generation, Nourishment, and Amelioration of Mother Earth (PM PRANAM).” This nationwide initiative supports States and Union Territories in promoting sustainable and balanced fertilizer use, alternative fertilizers, organic farming, and resource conservation technologies. All States/UTs participate in PM-PRANAM, which also provides incentives to reduce chemical fertilizer consumption (Urea, DAP, NPK, MOP) by offering 50% of the fertilizer subsidy saved compared to the average use over the previous three years.

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