Scientist Creates Nano-Urea for the Benefit of Farmers, Economy, and Environment

Scientist and inventor Ramesh Raliya, 34, is credited with creating nano-nitrogen (nano-urea) for the first time. It is produced commercially by the Gandhinagar unit of the Indian Farmers Fertiliser Cooperative (IFFCO), which was established on May 28. 

Indian Farmers Fertiliser Cooperative (IFFCO) is building its second factory in India close to Devanahalli. India will soon have several nano urea manufacturing facilities thanks to the establishment of production facilities by IFFCO, National Fertiliser Limited (NFL), and Rashtriya Chemicals and Fertilisers Limited (RCF).

By substituting 45 kg of conventional granulated urea priced at Rs 266 with subsidy (Rs 3966 without subsidy) with a 500-ml bottle of liquid nano-urea, the government can avoid paying for transportation, and storage space, import, and subsidies.

It is less polluting during production and use than conventional urea because it does not release nitrogen-based greenhouse gases like nitrous oxide into the atmosphere. The scientist from the US who holds a Green Card has donated the technology to India without charge.

Unique In Its Sort:

The patent for the first liquid nano urea in the world belongs to India. On the related term, there was just one patent publication, and it used a distinct procedure, usage, and application. This is the first fertilizer used in agriculture.

Issues With Traditional Granulated Urea:

Due to its solid essence, it falls into the soil where the crop can easily access all of the nitrogen contained in the granule, which is typically between one and two millimeters in size. However, because of burst release, the ammonia escapes into the atmosphere and interacts with the oxygen to form nitrous oxide, a greenhouse gas.

Advantages Of Nano-Urea:

The plant leaf receives a spray of nano-urea. These are nanoscale (20–50 nm) particles. They are easily taken by the plant and cause it to release nitrogen. Additionally, they increase the levels of protein, chlorophyll, and nucleotides like RNA or DNA within plant cells as well as the enzymes responsible for nitrogen metabolism.

IFFCO has conducted experiments on more than 90 crops in more than 11,000 farmer fields, as well as on over 40 crops at more than 20 state agricultural colleges and ICAR institutions. It might raise the agricultural output of the tested crops in various agroclimatic zones across India by 7 to 8%. It improved the crop's quality and grain protein content.

Indian Agriculture Research Scenario:

The majority of our ICAR Institutions and other institutes create several beneficial plant species. India has put a lot of effort into seeds and created several hybrid kinds. But today, whether it's fertilizers, pesticides, or herbicides, I believe it's time to spend more on the development of eco-friendly, effective agro-inputs.