Center’s Plant Nutrition Management Bill Might Prove Fatal for Mixed Fertilizer Manufacturing Industry

The Central Government's Integrated Plant Nutrition Management Bill, 2022, aims to regulate the pricing, distribution network, and quality of fertilizers is set to put an end to the widespread usage of mixed fertilizers in Kerala.

The Bill emphasizes customized fertilizers, which are ones that include a combination of nutrients based on soil conditions and crop requirements.

Customized fertilizer is not widely popular in Kerala. Mixed fertilizers are commonly utilized in this area. Kerala alone has more than 60 mixed fertilizer factories, and their operations are expected to suffer if the legislation is enacted.

Almost 19 mixed fertilizer varieties in Kerala are recommended by the Kerala Agriculture University and the State Agriculture Department.

Mixed fertilizers are composed of two or more important elements, notably nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium (NPK). Different NPK mixtures are available for different crops in order to ensure optimum plant development and large crop yields.

The Fertilizer (Control) Order of 1985 specified the conditions for fertilizer production. However, the revised Bill does not speak about mixed fertilizers. 

The customized fertilizer approach is distinguished by the application of various fertilizers in different areas based on the soil structure in each area. This approach is far more scientific than the one based on mixed products. Existing manufacturing plants will have to invest heavily in infrastructure, such as specialized lab facilities, in order to create mixed fertilizers.

If the new law stays silent on mixed fertilizers, the manufacturing units will have to face the prospect of losing both registration and subsidies.

Rigorous laws are in place to ensure high quality and fair price

The Bill provided for the creation of an Integrated Plant Nutrition Management Authority. The major goal of the law is to assure high-quality fertilizers at a low cost.

The Bill includes provisions that will ban the production, sale, and distribution of fertilizers that have not been legally registered.

Advertisements that are deceptive will be prohibited.

Those who sell fake fertilizer products will be awarded both jail sentences and fine. A permanent license and nomination system will be introduced in the sector.

The Central Government has invited suggestions from the public with regard to the new Bill.