Yogendra Kumar, Marketing Director, IFFCO, Advocates for Nano Fertilizers: "A Sustainable Solution for Farmers and Mother Earth"

Yogendra Kumar, Marketing Director of IFFCO, paid a visit to Krishi Jagran's office on July 31, 2024, in New Delhi. He is on the Board of IFFCO-MC as a nominee of IFFCO and has a rich experience of over 35 years of working in cooperatives in various positions. During his visit, he sought to address the concerns of farmers regarding the use of nano fertilizers, asserting that these products improve soil health and productivity when used timely and in the correct quantity.

Kumar was warmly welcomed by M C Dominic, Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Krishi Jagran, and Shiny Dominic, Managing Director of Krishi Jagran. A video tracing Krishi Jagran's journey from its inception to the present was showcased.

In his address, Yogendra Kumar urged farmers to try nano-products once to understand their process, quantity, and proper usage before applying them to their fields. He confidently stated, “I have deep faith that if any farmer uses this once, they will use it again. I guarantee this not because I’m part of the organization that first introduced this in the country with the help of Indian scientists and delivered it to the farming community. I guarantee this nano product as I have personally used and tested it on my own farms.”

He emphasized that the era of increasing crop yields through chemical use is over. The Prime Minister has launched numerous initiatives and schemes, repeatedly urging people to reduce urea consumption to save Mother Earth. Continuing to use chemicals over the next 25 years will harm our lively and revered planet. It is crucial to prioritize the health of Mother Earth now. Nano fertilizers have been developed to address these pressing concerns.

He outlined several benefits of nano fertilizers, highlighting their positive impact on both farmers and the environment. He noted that excessive nitrates and harmful gases found in water and air are partly due to chemicals used in agriculture. Nano fertilizers, however, do not cause pollution in soil, air, or water. They increase production per acre, leave no harmful residues in produce, and improve the overall quality of crops. Farmers using nano urea, nano DAP, and Sagarika have seen higher yields and better crop quality. Additionally, the balanced use of these products helps prevent insect and disease infestations by promoting plant health.

Another significant advantage of nano fertilizers is their compatibility with other agricultural chemicals, though farmers should test for reactions before mixing. This can be done easily in the field without lab assistance. The adoption of nano urea, supported by government subsidies, can alleviate the government's financial burden and reduce India's dependence on urea imports. Furthermore, nano fertilizers are easy to carry and store, cutting down on costs and saving money for farmers.

Addressing concerns about soil impact, Kumar stated that nano fertilizers enhance microbial activity and create a healthy soil ecosystem. He also mentioned improvements in the photosynthesis process due to nano fertilizers. On drone usage, he explained that drones allow farmers to efficiently and accurately spray fertilizers, controlling the quantity and coverage easily. Drones are particularly useful in difficult terrain and wet soil conditions, eliminating risks such as snake bites, lung infections, and skin infections. Farmers can map their fields, automate the process, and simply switch on the drone to spray the entire field, which will stop automatically after completing the assigned task.

Regarding global exports, Kumar shared that IFFCO exports nano fertilizers to 42 countries, meeting all global requirements from indigenous plants. Responding to complaints from Punjab farmers about decreased wheat and paddy production due to nano urea, he acknowledged the challenges during trials and assured that lessons had been learned.

Looking ahead, Kumar revealed that IFFCO is exploring the launch of Nano Zinc, Nano Carbon, and NPK, and plans to double the number of nano fertilizer plants in the next five years to meet growing farmer needs. He praised Krishi Jagran for its outstanding work and the dedication of its entire team in supporting the farming community. He highlighted the organization's efforts to reach out to farmers through programs in various regional languages. Additionally, he commended Krishi Jagran's remarkable on-ground initiatives in around 400 districts.

The insightful event concluded with a Vote of Thanks and a group photograph to capture the memorable moment.