BJP President Nadda Affirms Government's Commitment to Ensure Fertiliser Availability and Use
BJP President Nadda assures government commitment to ensuring adequate fertilizer availability and promoting balanced use.
Photo by April Vasquez
BJP President J.P. Nadda affirmed the government's commitment to ensuring adequate availability and promoting the balanced use of fertilizers for farmers. Speaking at a farmers' outreach program, Nadda highlighted various government initiatives aimed at supporting the agricultural sector, including schemes for soil health, crop diversification, and direct benefit transfers.
The assurance on fertilizer availability is crucial for agricultural productivity, especially given past concerns about supply chain disruptions and rising input costs. The government's focus on balanced fertilizer use also aligns with environmental sustainability goals, aiming to reduce chemical overuse and improve soil health.
मुख्य तथ्य
BJP President J.P. Nadda affirmed government's commitment to fertiliser availability and balanced use
Spoke at farmers' outreach program
Mentioned schemes for soil health, crop diversification, DBT
UPSC परीक्षा के दृष्टिकोण
Economic: Fertilizer subsidies, fiscal burden, agricultural input costs, farmer income, food security, supply chain management.
Environmental: Soil health, water pollution (nitrate leaching), climate change (nitrous oxide emissions), sustainable agriculture practices.
Governance/Policy: Government schemes (Soil Health Card, PM-KISAN, NBS), policy interventions, regulatory mechanisms, role of public sector undertakings.
Social: Farmer welfare, rural livelihoods, equity in access to inputs.
दृश्य सामग्री
और जानकारी
पृष्ठभूमि
India's agricultural sector is heavily reliant on fertilizers to maintain productivity and ensure food security. Historically, the Green Revolution led to a significant increase in fertilizer consumption, particularly urea. To make fertilizers affordable for farmers, the government introduced a comprehensive subsidy regime.
However, this has led to challenges such as imbalanced nutrient use (overuse of urea), environmental degradation, and a substantial fiscal burden on the exchequer. Past concerns about supply chain disruptions and rising global input costs have further highlighted the need for a robust and sustainable fertilizer policy.
नवीनतम घटनाक्रम
The government is currently focused on ensuring adequate availability of fertilizers while simultaneously promoting their balanced use. This commitment is articulated through various initiatives aimed at supporting the agricultural sector, including the Soil Health Card Scheme, schemes for crop diversification, and direct benefit transfers (like PM-KISAN).
The emphasis on balanced fertilizer use is crucial for environmental sustainability, aiming to reduce chemical overuse, improve soil health, and mitigate the adverse impacts of excessive chemical application on soil and water resources. Addressing supply chain resilience and managing input costs remain key policy priorities.
बहुविकल्पीय प्रश्न (MCQ)
1. With reference to fertilizer subsidies in India, consider the following statements: 1. Urea is the only fertilizer whose Maximum Retail Price (MRP) is statutorily fixed by the government. 2. The Nutrient Based Subsidy (NBS) policy covers all phosphatic and potassic (P&K) fertilizers, including urea. 3. The government encourages the use of Neem Coated Urea primarily to reduce its industrial use and improve nitrogen use efficiency. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
उत्तर देखें
सही उत्तर: B
Statement 1 is correct: Urea's MRP is statutorily fixed by the government, and it is provided to farmers at a subsidized price. Statement 2 is incorrect: The NBS policy covers phosphatic and potassic (P&K) fertilizers, but urea is excluded from NBS and has its own separate subsidy mechanism. Statement 3 is correct: Neem coating of urea helps in slow release of nitrogen, improving its use efficiency, and also deters its diversion for non-agricultural purposes.
2. In the context of promoting balanced fertilizer use and soil health in India, which of the following initiatives are relevant? 1. Soil Health Card Scheme 2. Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY) 3. National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA) 4. Crop Diversification Programme Select the correct answer using the code given below:
उत्तर देखें
सही उत्तर: D
All four initiatives are relevant. The Soil Health Card Scheme directly promotes balanced fertilizer use by providing farmers with soil nutrient status and recommended dosages. PMKSY, while primarily focused on irrigation, promotes 'more crop per drop' and efficient water use, which indirectly influences nutrient management and reduces leaching. NMSA aims to make Indian agriculture more sustainable, including through better nutrient management. The Crop Diversification Programme encourages farmers to shift from water-intensive crops (which often also have high fertilizer demands) to less intensive ones, promoting overall resource efficiency and soil health.
3. Consider the following statements regarding the environmental impact of imbalanced fertilizer use: 1. Overuse of nitrogenous fertilizers can lead to increased nitrous oxide emissions, a potent greenhouse gas. 2. Leaching of nitrates from agricultural fields can contaminate groundwater and surface water bodies. 3. Excessive application of phosphatic fertilizers can lead to eutrophication in aquatic ecosystems. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
उत्तर देखें
सही उत्तर: D
All three statements are correct. 1. Nitrous oxide (N2O) is produced during denitrification processes in soil, which are enhanced by the application of nitrogenous fertilizers, especially when applied in excess. N2O is a powerful greenhouse gas. 2. Nitrates are highly soluble and can easily leach through soil into groundwater or run off into surface water, causing contamination. 3. Excess phosphorus in water bodies acts as a nutrient, leading to algal blooms and subsequent oxygen depletion, a process known as eutrophication.
4. Which of the following is NOT a primary objective of the Nutrient Based Subsidy (NBS) policy for fertilizers in India?
उत्तर देखें
सही उत्तर: C
The NBS policy primarily aims to ensure affordability and promote balanced use of chemical P&K fertilizers by linking subsidy to the nutrient content. While balanced fertilization can indirectly support soil health, the NBS policy itself is not designed to primarily promote organic fertilizers over chemical ones. Reducing the fiscal burden through rationalization is also an implicit objective. Promoting organic fertilizers is a separate policy thrust, though complementary to balanced chemical use.
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