Dr Mansukh Mandaviya Assesses Status of Nano Urea Production & Sales for 2022-23

Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, Union Minister of Chemicals and Fertilizers, reviewed the progress of Nano Urea (liquid) production and sales for the fiscal year 2022-23 here. During yesterday's meeting, he also reviewed the progress of nano urea in terms of farmer acceptance, production, supply plan, and steps initiated by the Department of Fertilizers (DoF) to increase its reach to farmers and retailers.

The Minister was informed that from April 1st, 2022 to August 10th, 2022, nano urea production and dispatches totaled 1.23 crore bottles. From August 1, 2021 to August 10, 2022, a total of 3.27 crore bottles were sold, with 2.15 crore bottles sold during FY 2021-22 and 1.125 crore bottles (500 mL) sold during FY 2022-22 up to August 10, 2022.

The current nano urea production unit has a daily capacity of 1.5 lakh bottles. An additional 4.60 crore bottles will be produced between September and December 2022 and January and March 2023. Thus, approximately 6.0 crore bottles of nano urea will be produced and distributed to farmers during the fiscal year 2022-23. These 6.0 crore bottles correspond to 27 lakh MT of conventional urea.

Dr Mandaviya observed during the review that nano urea is now widely accepted by farmers across the country. He stated that the inclusion of Nano Urea in the monthly supply plan of the states by the Department of Fertilizers will increase its availability and reach to farmers significantly.

The Minister directed department officials to promote Nano urea in a mission mode in order to capitalize on its benefits. He also directed that retailers be sensitized by holding retailer meetings at regular intervals in collaboration with other state departments. He also stated that the promotion of nano urea and its acceptance by farmers will be a game changer for the country's fertilizer scenario.

Nano Urea is a novel nano fertilizer developed in-house. It is an excellent example of an initiative undertaken by the AATMANIRBHAR KRISHI & AATMANIRBHAR BHARAT to ensure the nation's food and nutritional security. Nano urea is produced in an environmentally friendly, energy-efficient process with low carbon footprints.

Its application to crops as foliar fertilization increases crop productivity by 8%, with commensurate benefits in terms of improved soil, air, and water quality, and farmer profitability. Scaling up production and sales, as well as the use of Nano Urea, will result in lower greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions over time.