A

REPORT ON
CONTEMPORARY ISSUES IN MANAGEMENT
Submitted to
INDUKAKA IPCOWALA INSTITUTE OF MANAGEMENT (I2IM)
CHAROTAR UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY (CHARUSAT)
Prepaid by
RANA PRIYA
ID No: 18BBA086
BBA PROGRAMME,
SEMESTER – 4
UNDER THE GUIDANCE OF
ASSISTANT PROFESSOR
DR. PRANAV DESAI
FACULTY OF MANAGEMENT STUDIES
CHAROTAR UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
(CHARUSAT)

INDUKAKA IPCOWALA INSTITUTE OF MANAGEMENT (I2IM)

CHAROTAR UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY (CHARUSAT)
AT. & PO. CHANGA – 388 421 TA: PETLAD DIST. ANAND, GUJARAT
NOVEMBER- 2019

DECLERATION

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 I (RANA PRIYA) Student Of The Semester IV, BBA Programme At Indukaka Ipcowala
Institute Of Management (I2IM) Hereby Declare That The Report On Contemporary Issues
in Management Entitled A Study On “(INORGANIC FERTILIZER ON QUALITY OF
LAND)” Is The Result Of My Own Work. I Also Acknowledge The Other Works /
Publications Cited In The Report.

Place: Changa Signature

Date: (RANA PRIYA)

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

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 On the outset of this report, I would like to extend my sincere thanks towards the entire
personage who have helped me in this report. Without their active guidance, help,
cooperation and encouragement I would not have headway in this report.

I am extremely thankful and pay my gratitude to my Professor Dr. Pranav Desai for his
valuable guidance and support on completion in this project.

I also acknowledge with a great sense of reverence, my gratitude towards my parents and my
family members, who has supported me morally as well as economically.

At last but not least gratitude goes to all of my friends who directly or indirectly helped me to
complete this report.

Place: Changa
___________

Date: (RANA
PRIYA)

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 INDEX

Sr. Title Pg.

No. No.
1. Introduction.

1. Fertilizer

 Effect of fertilizer

2. Inorganic fertilizer

 Types

 How to use

 Uses

 How does they work

 How to apply

2 The effect of inorganic fertilizer on land

3 Negative side of inorganic fertilizer & land life
4 Impact Of __________ On Economy.
5 Impact Of __________ On Environment.
Effect
6 Policy implications
7 Human issues
8 Effect of water pollution
9 Effect of land pollution
10 Effect of air pollution
11 Regulatory Measures And Their Impact On ______.
12 Campaigns And Movements For ________.
13 Glimpses Of Various Reports On ___________.
Trends in oil based inorganic fertilizer use
Modeling impact
General practices in relation to land productivity
Barrier
Applications
14 Remedial Measures / Corrective Actions For _________.
15 The perils of over fertilizing plants and trees
16 Case study :

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 Coco-cola
Hoogly,west Bengal
17 Land turning acidic due to excessive use of inorganic fertilizer
18 Government Schemes, Subsidies And Support For ________.
Fertilizer Subsidy Policy for Phosphatic & Potassic (P&K) Fertilizers:
1          Historical Background:
2          Concession Scheme for P&K Fertilizers:
3          Computation of Subsidy on P&K fertilizers under Concession Scheme:
4          MRP of P&K fertilizers under Concession Scheme:
19 Impact Of Government Schemes, Subsidies And Support For ______.
5          Impact of Concession Scheme:
6          Nutrient Based Subsidy (NBS) Policy (w.e.f. 1.4.2010):
6.3 Additional compensation to Naphtha based NPK complex fertilizer
manufacturing units:
6.4       Prices (MRP) of P&K fertilizers under NBS regime:
6.5       Reasonableness of MRP:
6.6       Monitoring of MPR of P&K fertilizers:
6.7       Freight subsidy Policy in respect of P&K fertilizers under NBS regime:
6.8       Procedure for Payment of subsidy under NBS:
7.         Concession Scheme/Nutrient Based Subsidy for SSP :
8.         Quality of Fertilizers :
9.         Subsidy outgo on P&K fertilizers and Urea during the last 10 years:
10        Study on the impact of NBS Policy:
20 Why inorganic fertilizer so bad?
21 News/articles
22 Conclusion.
23 Reference

1) Introduction.

FERTILIZER :

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 A fertilizer is any material of natural or synthetic origin that is applied to land or to plant
tissues to supply one or more plant nutrients essential to the growth of plants. Many sources
of fertilizer exist, both natural and industrially produced.

Effects of Fertilization:

 Inorganic fertilizer input is one of the main components of AI (Firbank et al., 2008;
Tivy, 1990) with a number of potential direct and indirect effects on biodiversity
(Robinson and Sutherland, 2002).

 Although artificial fertilization clearly contributes to the monopolization of primary

production by agriculture, it also increases the global productivity of the system, and
thus some mixed responses of biodiversity components might be expected.

 Geiger et al. (2010a) did not demonstrate any significant effect of inorganic fertilizers
on the species richness of vascular plants, carabid beetles or birds.

 However, Guerrero et al. (2011) focused on the FD of birds using the AGRIPOPES
data and showed a positive relationship between the diversity of some functional
groups, such as diet type and nesting strategy, and the amount of N fertilizers
probably related to the increased productivity of agroecosystems.

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  Studies at particular sites also provided mixed results. Aavik and Liira (2009, 2010)
found in Estonian farmland that higher fertilization rates negatively affected small-
scale plant species richness among taxa with a high tolerance to agriculture, but also
among less tolerant ones (more associated with natural habitats). Such responses
could be explained by the enhanced growth of cultivated cereals due to fertilizers,
which in turn could favor their ability to monopolize other resources such as light and
water, outcompeting weeds and other wild plants.

 Guerrero et al. (2010) did not find such effects in the Spanish study area, where no
response of arable weeds to the application of N, P and K was observed.

 These differences might be explained by the high prevalence of agricultural weeds at

the Spanish sites, and these species are well adapted to local crop conditions.

 It is also likely that farmers apply fertilizers more intensively when sowing at higher
density, so that the negative effect of sowing density (see in the following section)
might mask the influence of fertilizers. Guerrero et al. (2010) found that carabid
species richness was negatively influenced by inorganic N input, but positively
affected by applied P.

 Previous studies on organic farming have indicated a negative effect of synthetic

fertilizers on this group, possibly mediated by decreased prey abundance (e.g.
Bengtsson et al., 2005), although the influence of different inorganic nutrients was not
examined.

 The positive effect of P found by Guerrero et al. (2010) could result from an indirect
relationship of P with other factors affecting carabids such as sward structure or
microclimate (Holland, 2002).

 In summary, the effect of inorganic fertilizers on biodiversity components is less

consistent across taxa and geography than that of other inputs such pesticides, which
probably results from differences in local management and landscape configuration.

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 

INORGANIC FERTILIZER:

Inorganic fertilizers, also referred to as synthetic fertilizers, are manufactured

artificially and contain minerals or synthetic chemicals.

 For example, synthetic nitrogen fertilizers are typically made from petroleum or
natural gas.

 Phosphorus, potassium and other trace element in inorganic fertilizers are often mined
from the earth.

 Inorganic fertilizers or chemicals come in different forms like dry, liquid, slow-
release, pelletized, and soluble solutions.

 Inorganic fertilizers provide plant nutrients in a readymade form and release the
nutrients quickly so that the plants are able to get the nutrients as soon as possible.

 If there is an emergency and the plant is to be fertilized soon, inorganic will be the
right choice.

 Inorganic fertilizers have the necessary amount of the three-main nutrient that the
plant require to help them survive and flourish.

 However, the concentration of nutrients increases the risk of burning the plants. As
inorganic fertilizers tend to leach, excessive use can lead to a buildup of salt in the
land, causing damage to the plant.

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  nitrogen is very vulnerable to leaching. inorganic fertilizer does not build up the land
and long-term use of the same will deplete the land of valuable microbes.

 To remedy this problem, organic matter in the form of Maurer compost should be
added to the land frequently.

 most bonsai practitioners vary their feeding with both organic and inorganic
fertilizers.

Types of Inorganic Fertilizers :

 Fertilizers supplement plants with the vital nutrients needed for optimal, healthy
growth.

 You can choose from two categories of fertilizers: organic and inorganic products.

 Organic fertilizers undergo little processing and include ingredients such as

composts and manure, while inorganic fertilizers are synthetic and typically made
from petroleum.

 Before choosing a product, you

need to understand the choices
available and their functions.

 Inorganic fertilizers come in

single-nutrient or multinutrient
formulas. Multinutrient formulas
include complete and balanced
fertilizers, which contain basic
nutrients, such as nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, as well as secondary and
micronutrients such as calcium, magnesium, boron and manganese.

 The percentage of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium contained in both complete

and balanced fertilizers is indicated by three numbers on the package.

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  For example, a 5-10-5 formula is a complete fertilizer, containing 5 percent nitrogen,
10 percent phosphorus and 5 percent potassium.

 Balanced fertilizers are those that contain equal nutrient amounts, such as a 10-10-10
formula.

Slow-Release and Specially Formulated

I. Other types of inorganic fertilizers include slow-release formulas. These formulas

contain larger molecules that are coated, helping them to break down slowly in the
land. A typical slow-release fertilizer releases nutrients over a period of 50 days to a
year, reducing the chance of burning the plant or root system. Specially formulated
inorganic fertilizers are those that are created for a specific type of plant. These
special formulas include plant foods for azaleas, rhododendron or roses. Specially
formulated fertilizers are usually highly acidic and should be used only on the plants
for which they are indicated.

II. Nitrogen Fertilizers

Inorganic nitrogen fertilizers come in many different forms, such as ammonium nitrate,
potassium nitrate, calcium nitrate and urea. These fertilizers contain high levels of nitrogen,
one of the most vital nutrients for plant growth. However, these inorganic fertilizers tend to
increase the pH of the land upon application, increasing the chances of burn and damage to
seedlings. Others pull moisture from the air, making them difficult to apply and store.

III. Potassium Fertilizers

Inorganic potassium fertilizers include potassium sulfate and potassium nitrate, as well as
muriate of potash, also known as potassium chloride. Muriate of potash is the most
commonly used potassium fertilizer. In some cases, plants may be sensitive to chloride. If a
plant is sensitive to chloride, potassium sulfate, also known as sulfate of potash, is a better
choice, as it does not contain chloride. Potassium nitrate is easy to apply, because it does not
pull moisture from the air, but it does slightly increase the pH of the land upon application.

IV. Phosphorus Fertilizers

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 Inorganic phosphorus fertilizers such as rock
phosphate remain in the land years after the initial
application. Rock phosphate works only in acidic
lands, as the nutrients do not break down for
plants in neutral or alkaline lands.
Superphosphates are other forms of phosphorus
fertilizer. These do not affect the pH of the land upon application, while ammonium
phosphates come in water-soluble, granular forms.

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 Considerations

Organic fertilizers are the environmentally friendly choice of the two. Inorganic fertilizers
cause pollution of ground water, stripping of land nutrients, and plant and root burn if utilized
improperly. Inorganic fertilizers also do little to contribute to the health and vitality of the
land structure. The continual use of inorganic fertilizers reduces the land’s resistance to pests
and diseases over time, killing off the natural microbial activity.

Fertilizer Types and How to Use Them

 inorganic fertilizers are frequently accused of everything from “poisoning” the land

to producing less tasty and nutritious food.

 Should the extension worker encourage client farmers to forget about inorganic
fertilizers and use only organic ones (compost, manure)? The “organic way” is
basically very sound because organic matter (in the form of humus) can add
nutrients to the land and markedly improve land physical condition (tilth, water-

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 holding capacity) and nutrient-holding ability.

 Unfortunately, some misleading and illusory claims on both sides of the issue cause
a lot of confusion.
 Inorganic fertilizers supply only nutrients and exert no beneficial effects on land
physical condition. Organic fertilizers do both. However, compost and manure are
very low-strength fertilizers; 100 kg of 10–5-10 inorganic fertilizer contains about
the same amount of N-P-K as 2,000 kg of average farm manure.
 The organic fertilizers need to be applied at very high rates (about 20,000 to 40,000
kg/ha per year) to make up for their low nutrient content and to supply
enough humus to measurably improve land physical condition.

Uses of Inorganic fertilizers

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 Inorganic fertilizers are synthetic substances that provide the necessary nutrients for healthy
plant growth and development.

Inorganic fertilizers combine synthetic forms of the primary macronutrients for plants such as
nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, as well as a variety of micronutrients and additives.

Synthetically developed fertilizers provide the benefit of having more nutrients per pound
than organic fertilizers, thus reducing costs.

Inorganic fertilizers have many uses for the average gardener and homeowner, as well as for
commercial use.

...

The nutrients in inorganic fertilizers help plants achieve lush, green growth.

I. Gardening

 Plant and vegetable gardeners use chemical-based fertilizers for healthy plant growth.
The nitrogen in fertilizer promotes cell division and leafy vegetation, phosphorus
helps plants with photosynthesis and respiration and potassium helps plants absorb the
other nutrients, according to NASA.

 Inorganic fertilizers contain a higher concentration of macro- and micronutrients than

organic fertilizers, which allows gardeners to spread less of a concentration for the
same results.

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  Depending on brand, chemical-based fertilizers provide varying levels of additives,
which help grow plants faster and stronger.

 However, according to Pennsylvania State University, over-fertilization, a common

problem with chemical-based fertilizers, can cause poor growth and even plant death.
University or private labs can test land samples to determine the recommended
amount of fertilizer to apply for specific garden plants.

II. Lawn Care

 The nutrients synthetically added to inorganic fertilizer help with lawn care by
promoting quick, lush green growth.

 However, over-fertilization can cause tip burn and brown patch areas on grass.
According to the University of Minnesota, inorganic nitrogen-producing compounds
found in inorganic fertilizer such as ammonium nitrate, calcium nitrate and
ammonium sulfate are likely to contribute to lawn burn.

 The chemicals, released with the application of water, create quick results but may
cause damage.

 Fertilizer for lawns, as well as the gardening varieties, comes in two main forms,
quick release and slow release. Both varieties have their advantages and
disadvantages for plant growth.

III. Quick Release

 Quick-release inorganic fertilizers, made from compounds that are water-soluble,

allow plants to absorb nutrients immediately after application.

 This process produces noticeable plant growth over a short period. However,
according to the University of Minnesota, quick-release fertilizers are more likely
than slow-release fertilizers to cause tip or plant burn.

 Due to the fast absorption, quick release fertilizers are applied on a systemic basis
more often than slow-release fertilizers are.

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 IV. Slow Release

 Slow-release fertilizers release nutrients over an extended period.

 According to the University of Arizona, slow-release fertilizers release soluble

nitrogen by either a hydrolysis or microbial process.

 This application allows for gardens, lawns or crops to have continual nutrients
without regular fertilization.

Slow-release fertilizers are less likely to cause plant or lawn burn but are easily washed out by heavy
rainfall.

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 How does the Inorganic fertilizer work?
Posted by Aksh on Saturday, 21 March 2015

Unlike the longer time-period taken by organic fertilizers to work on the growth of the plants,
Inorganic fertilizers work in a hastened manner and work their appropriate actions on the
plants in the required time-frame.

Trusted for their fastened and sure action, these inorganic fertilizers are formulated and
churned in precisely measured concentrations and combined with suitable elements and acids
meant for different crops and plants.

The suitable quantities ensure a well formulated action on the plant growth in the estimated
time.

Various other factors are also kept in mind while using these fertilizers. these factors include:

 The type of crop

 Growing condition
 Land texture
 Season, etc.

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  Listed below are a few of the most prominently used inorganic fertilizers:
 Anhydrous ammonia: A gas which contains 82% nitrogen. 
 Urea: A solid compound containing 46% nitrogen gas.
 Superphosphate: Proportioned amounts of nitrogen and phosphate
 Diammonium phosphate: Contains 18% nitrogen and 46% phosphate.

How to apply the inorganic fertilizers?

As these constitute of several measured quantities therefore it is essential to keep in mind the
correct procedure of applying the fertilizers so that not even a little amount goes wasted and
also to ensure that sufficient quantities reach the roots of the plants.
Following are a few tips that can be taken care of:

 Spread the fertilizer over the land surface or apply it while plowing the land to enable
it go underground and get deeply dissolved in the land
 Apply it where the seeds will be sown or spread it once the plants sprout up and
repeat the same procedure twice before harvesting.
Caution: the fertilizers are harmful therefore avoid any physical contact and tie your mouth
with a clean cloth and wear gloves in case of applying it with hands. Inhalation or
consumption might cause severe injuries, allergies and death also.
 Advantages of Inorganic Fertilizers over organic fertilizers
 Inorganic fertilizers provide measured quantities of required nutrients.

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 They work faster than the organic fertilizers. The elements are in the easily soluble form and
thus are taken in by the land immediately. While organic fertilizers wait for the
microorganisms to work on them and thus takes time.

Disadvantages
 Eutrophication: Overgrowth of aquatic vegetation and degradation of water
quality due to extra nitrogen accumulation
 Increased acidity: Many inorganic fertilizers are composed of acids like sulphuric
acid and hydrochloric acid and these acids decrease the land's quality and heightens the
acidity which further registers a bad impact on the plant growth.
 Loss of bacteria: The natural nitrogen fixing bacteria, rhizobium suffers great
blows from the excessive usage of inorganic bacteria.
Certain plants are hampered due to excessive dozes of the inorganic fertilizers so much so
that they also tend to cease growing and land fruits.

However, organic fertilizer might work slower but they leave an everlasting impact on the
land texture and improves the water holding capacity of the land, regains its fertility and
prevents land erosion.

2.The Effects of Inorganic fertilizers on Land

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  Inorganic fertilizers or inorganic fertilizers are manmade land enhancers used to raise
the level of nutrients found in land.

 The natural nutrients found in the land essential to plant growth, such as nitrogen,
phosphorus and potassium, are manufactured synthetically from inorganic material
and applied to land in the form of inorganic fertilizers.

 Although inorganic fertilizers improve the growth of plants and increase the lands of
fruits and vegetables in a relatively short period of time, there are certain
disadvantages of using inorganic fertilizers as opposed to organic fertilizers derived
from natural sources.

 Ground Water Pollution

 The persistent use of inorganic fertilizers causes the pollution of ground water
sources, or leaching.
 Inorganic fertilizers that are highly soluble get absorbed by the ground more rapidly
than they are absorbed by the intended plants.
 Plants have the capacity to absorb only a given level of nutrition at a time leaving the
rest of the fertilizer to leach. Leaching is not only hazardous to groundwater sources
but also to the health of subland where these chemicals react with clay to create hard
layers of land known as hardpan.
 As a result of inorganic fertilizer use the health of land and water is jeopardized, not
to mention the waste of money and nutrient deficient plants.

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  Land Friability Effect
 The presence of a number of acids in the land, such as hydrochloric and sulfuric acids,
creates a damaging effect on land referred to as land friability.
 The different acids in the land dissolve the land crumbs which help to hold together
the rock particles.
 Land crumbs result from the combination of humus, or decomposed natural material
such as dead leaves, with clay.
 These mineral rich land crumbs are essential to land drainage and greatly improve air
circulation in the land.
 As the chemicals in the inorganic fertilizers destroy land crumbs, the result is a highly
compacted land with reduced drainage and air circulation.

 Destruction of Micro-Organisms
 The synthetic chemicals in the inorganic fertilizers adversely affect the health of
naturally found land micro-organisms by affecting the land pH.
 These altered levels of acidity in the land eliminate the micro-organisms beneficial to
plant and land health as they help to increase the plants' natural defenses against pests
and diseases.
 These helpful micro-organisms consist of antibiotic-producing bacteria and
mycorrhizal and other fungi which are found in healthy land.

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  The use of inorganic fertilizers also jeopardizes the health of bacteria that fix the
nitrogen balance in the land.
 These nitrogen-fixing bacteria are responsible for converting the atmospheric oxygen
into a form of nitrogen that can be used readily by plants.

3.The negative side of inorganic fertilizer and land life

 The roots of all goodness lie in the land of appreciation for goodness. Dalai Lama
 Land is made up of three main components – minerals that come from rocks below or
nearby, organic matter, which is the remains of plants, and animals that use the land,
and the living organisms that reside in the land.
 The level of each proportion is very important to land. However factors such as
human activities, climate and vegetation are also important in influencing how land is
formed and the types of land that occur in a particular landscape.
 Land is considered the skin of the earth. It contains most of the earth’s genetic
diversity. A handful of land can contain billions of organisms, belonging to thousands
of species.

 Since nutrients are very important for food production, all crops need nutrients to
grow. A good portion of these nutrients are removed and exported when crops are
harvested.
 A Good harvest depends on a land rich in nutrients.  Nutrient need to replaced  by
applying fertilizers or manures to enrich the land.

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  Plants nutrients are divided into two types which are macronutrients and
micronutrients. Plants normally require macronutrient in large quantities.

 Inorganic fertilizers are usually added to agricultural land to increase crop lands and
also to ensure the lands are very attractive.

 Inorganic fertilizers normally come in granular, liquid or gaseous state and

inorganiccomponents include Nitrogen (N), Phosphorus and (P) Potassium (K) NPK.
 Plants use nitrates from the land to satisfy nutritional requirements of plants by
building up leaves and stems. Nitrate can however leach into groundwater. Nitrates
form when microorganisms break down fertilizers, decaying plants. Irrigation or rain
can leach them into the groundwater.
 Phosphorus (P) is a macronutrient that is usually required by crops in large amounts
and is finite, irreplaceable and unique among fertilizer requirements. . Plants use P for
energy transfer. Land normally holds this very strongly by precipitation and
adsorption reaction and most are stable in organic forms. They also play a key role in
human body since they are part of DNA.
 Potassium (K) is considered a quality nutrient and is second only to nitrogen. It helps
the plant size, color and taste so is very essential for plant nutrition. It also helps in
regulating water in the land to the plant and in human beings supports nerves to
function well.
 Notwithstanding the positive effect NPK has on the land and plants, there is a
significant health effect to the land and to humans. If humans or animals drink water
high in nitrate, it may cause methemoglobinemia, an illness found infants.
 It can also cause the thyroid gland to decrease it function, which leads to shortage in
vitamin A intake. A high percentage in the body leads to cancer, and nitrogen
compounds can cause the oxygen transport to the blood to decrease.

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  Aside the benefits Phosphorus provides to the land, Sandy lands generally have the
highest risk of P leaching due to their low water holding capacity and rapid rate of
water infiltration and percolation. A diet high in phosporus leads to kidney damage
and osteoporosis. Phosphorus can remain in the land and water for thousands of years.
 High concentrations of potassium can suppress plant growth and cause the kidney
malfunction in human’s. High exposure will lead to a build up of fluid in the lungs
and Contact to the eye can lead to permanent eye damage.
 In conclusion, the demand of inorganicfertilisers in food production is aimed at
satisfying nutritional demands by the populace. On the other hand chemicals
fertilisers destroy the properties of the land, and harmful to humans.
 

4.Impact of _____ on economy.

Socioeconomic Impacts

 Land is one of three major factors of production in classical economics (along with
labor and capital) and an essential input for housing and food production. Thus, land
use is the backbone of agricultural economies and it provides substantial economic
and social benefits. Land use change is necessary and essential for economic
development and social progress.

 Land use change, however, does not come without costs (see Table 1). Conversion of
farmland and forests to urban development reduces the amount of lands available for
food and timber production. Land erosion, salinization, desertification, and other land
degradations associated with intensive agriculture and deforestation reduce the quality
of land resources and future agricultural productivity (Lubowski et al. 2006).

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  Urbanization presents many challenges for farmers on the urban fringe. Conflicts with
nonfarm neighbors and vandalism, such as destruction of crops and damage to farm
equipment, are major concerns of farmers at the urban fringe (Lisansky, 1986).
Neighboring farmers often cooperate in production activities, including equipment
sharing, land renting, custom work, and irrigation system development.

 These benefits will disappear when neighboring farms are converted to development.
Farmers may no longer be able to benefit from information sharing and formal and
informal business relationships among neighboring farms.

 Urbanization may also cause the “impermanence syndrome” (i.e., a lack of confidence
in the stability and long–run profitability of farming), leading to a reduction in
investment in new technology or machinery, or idling of farmland (Lopez, Adelaja,
and Andrews, 1988).

 As urbanization intensifies, agricultural and nonagricultural land use conflicts become

more severe. This may lead to an increase in local ordinances designed to force
farmers to pay for some of the negative impacts generated by agriculture. As the
nearest input suppliers close because of insufficient demand for farm inputs, a farmer
may have to pay more for inputs or spend more time to obtain equipment repairs
(Lynch and Carpenter, 2003).

 Competition for labor from nonagricultural sectors may raise farmers’ labor costs.
When the total amount of farmland falls below a critical mass, the local agricultural
economy may collapse as all agricultural supporting sectors disappear.

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  Urbanization also presents important opportunities to farmers. The emergence of a
new customer base provides farmers new opportunities for selling higher value crops.
For example, Lopez, Adelaja, and Andrews (1988) found that vegetable producers
tend to receive higher prices in urbanized areas.

 The explosion of nurseries, vegetable farms, vineyards, and other high–value crop
industries in many suburban areas illustrates how quickly agricultural economies can
evolve.

 Many farmers have shown remarkable adaptability in adjusting their enterprises to

take advantage of new economic opportunities at the urban fringe.

 They farm more intensively in areas with high population density (Lockeretz 1988).
More than half the value of total U.S. farm production is derived from counties facing
urbanization pressure (Larson, Findeis, and Smith 2001).

 Urbanization has changed rural communities in many places. In some rural areas,
urban sprawl has encroached to such an extent that the community itself has been lost.
In other areas, the lack of opportunities has turned once–viable communities into
ghost towns.

 Urban sprawl intensifies income segregation and economic disparities between urban
and suburban communities (Wu, 2006). Cities tend to gain lower–income residents
and lose upper–income population.

 Between 1969 and 1998, the share of low–income families in central cities grew from
21.9% to 25.5% compared with a decline from 18.3% to 16.6% for high–income
households (U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development 2000).

 The change in income mix led to a smaller tax base and the need for more social
services in urban communities.

 Suburbanization brings urban and rural people and problems together. Most land areas
are rural, most watersheds are in rural places, and most of the atmosphere exists above
rural space.

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  Urbanites and agencies have legitimate concerns about the use and condition of rural
natural resources, just as rural populations have legitimate concerns about urban–
based pressures on the natural world.

 These shared interests in the natural environment have important economic, social,
and political implications, which may profoundly impact society in the future.

 In response to the increasing urbanization, many local governments have imposed

strict land use control. Some of the efforts have been quite successful in slowing
down development.

 For example, Wu and Cho (2007) found that local land use regulations reduced land
development by 10% in the five western states between 1982 and 1997, with the
largest percent reduction occurring in Washington (13.0%), followed by Oregon
(12.6%), California (9.5%), Idaho (4.7%), and Nevada (2.8%). A potential
consequence of land use regulation is higher housing prices, which make housing less
affordable to middle– and low–income households.

 There is sufficient evidence to support the linkage between land use regulation and
housing affordability.

 Two recent Harvard University studies found that land use regulation reduces housing
affordability in the Greater Boston Area (Glaeser and Ward 2006; Glaeser and
Gyourko 2002). Cho, Wu and Boggess (2003) analyzed the causes and consequences
of land use regulations across counties in five western states and found that land use
regulation increased average housing prices between 1.3 and 4.7%, depending on the
intensity of land use regulations in a county.

27
  Land use control must strike a balance between private property rights and the public
interest.

 Oregon ballot measures 37 and 49 highlight the difficulty and controversy of the
balancing act. In an attempt to protect private property rights from regulatory taking,
Oregon voters passed Measure 37 in 2004. Measure 37 provides that the government
must compensate the owner of private real property when a land use regulation
reduces its "fair market value". In lieu of compensation, the government may choose
to "remove, modify or not apply" the regulation.

 Measure 37 was ruled unconstitutional by a lower court, but was upheld by the
Oregon State Supreme Court. By October 19, 2007, 6,814 claims had been filed,
requesting almost $20 billion in compensation (Oregon Department of Land
Conservation and Development 2007).

 In an effort to reverse or modify Measure 37, Oregon voters approved Measure 49 on

Nov. 6, 2007 to “ensure that Oregon law provides just compensation for unfair
burdens while retaining Oregon’s protection for farm and forest land uses and the
state’s water resources” (ODLCD, 2008).

 Measure 49 essentially modifies Measure 37 by replacing “waivers” of regulations

with authorizations to establish a limited number of home sites.

28
  In sum, land use change provides many economic and social benefits, but comes at a
substantial economic cost to society.

 Land conservation is a critical element in achieving long–term economic growth and

sustainable development.

 Land use policy, however, must strike a balance between private property rights and
the public interest

5.Impact of _________ on environment.

o Environmental Issues
One of the problems with inorganic fertilizers is they seep through the land into the
groundwater and other water sources, leading to contamination.
o Now, NPK in small quantities is non-toxic, but a lot can kill the balance of nature in
various ways. Nitrogen is especially tricky.
o One way is by doing exactly what it is supposed to do, which is help plants grow. The
problem is it creates what experts call a dead zone.

o When it is in the water, it encourages the growth of plankton and other aquatic plants
to excessive amounts. When they die, the process of decomposition eats up oxygen
that fish and other aquatic animals need to survive.

29
 o As a result, the waters closest to the land where agricultural runoff is also heaviest are
empty of fish and crustaceans. This upsets the ecosystem of the area and the local
fishing industry.
o It would not help much to stop using inorganic fertilizer in the worst hit areas.
Nitrogen in the water can persist for many years, so it will continue to affect the
environment even without adding more.
o Another problem with nitrogen is it contributes to the greenhouse effect. Dubbed the
"other greenhouse gas," nitrogen is just as bad as carbon dioxide in global warming,
but is not as famous.
o The main sources of nitrogen in the atmosphere in the form of nitrous oxide are power
plants and cars, but using more nitrogen fertilizers than crop plants can absorb plays a
significant role.
o In addition, inorganic fertilizers can make the topland acidic, because nitrogen lowers
the pH of the land. The ideal pH for maximum plant growth and crop land is between
5.5 and 8. If the land is too acidic (pH lower than 5.5), it will land less crops.

o The environmental issues of using inorganic fertilizers are bad, and they will take
many years to address. However, an immediate concern with inorganic fertilizers is
the effect on human health.

Environmental Impacts

o Land use and land management practices have a major impact on natural resources
including water, land, air, nutrients, plants, and animals

o Runoff from agriculture is a leading source of water pollution both in inland and
coastal waters

o Draining wetlands for crop production and irrigation water diversions has had a
negative impact on many wildlife species

o Irrigated agriculture has changed the water cycle and caused groundwater levels to
decline in many parts of the world

30
 o Intensive farming and deforestation may cause land erosion, salinization,
desertification, and other land degradations

o Deforestation adds to the greenhouse effect, destroys habitats that support biodiversity,
affects the hydrological cycle and increases land erosion, runoff, flooding and
landslides.

o Urban development causes air pollution, water pollution, and urban runoff and
flooding

o Habitat destruction, fragmentation, and alteration associated with urban development

are a leading cause of biodiversity decline and species extinctions

o Urban development and intensive agriculture in coastal areas and further inland is a
major threat to the health, productivity, and biodiversity of the marine environment
throughout the world

o Land–use change is arguably the most pervasive socioeconomic force driving changes
and degradation of ecosystems. Deforestation, urban development, agriculture, and
other human activities have substantially altered the Earth’s landscape. Such
disturbance of the land affects important ecosystem processes and services, which can
have wide–ranging and long–term consequences

o Farmland provides open space and valuable habitat for many wildlife species.
However, intensive agriculture has potentially severe ecosystem consequences. For
example, it has long been recognized that agricultural land use and practices can cause
water pollution and the effect is influenced by government policies. Runoff from

31
 agricultural lands is a leading source of water pollution both in inland and coastal
waters. Conversions of wetlands to crop production and irrigation water diversions
have brought many wildlife species to the verge of extinction.

o Forests provide many ecosystem services. They support biodiversity, providing critical
habitat for wildlife, remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, intercept
precipitation, slow down surface runoff, and reduce land erosion and flooding. These
important ecosystem services will be reduced or destroyed when forests are converted
to agriculture or urban development. For example, deforestation, along with urban
sprawl, agriculture, and other human activities, has substantially altered and
fragmented the Earth’s vegetative cover. Such disturbance can change the global
atmospheric concentration of carbon dioxide, the principal heat–trapping gas, as well
as affect local, regional, and global climate by changing the energy balance on Earth's
surface (Marland et al. 2003).

o Urban development has been linked to many environmental problems, including air
pollution, water pollution, and loss of wildlife habitat. Urban runoff often contains
nutrients, sediment and toxic contaminants, and can cause not only water pollution but
also large variation in stream flow and temperatures. Habitat destruction,
fragmentation, and alteration associated with urban development have been identified
as the leading causes of biodiversity decline and species extinctions (Czech, Krausman
and Devers 2000; Soulé 1991). Urban development and intensive agriculture in coastal
areas and further inland are a major threat to the health, productivity, and biodiversity
of the marine environment throughout the world.

32
 Environmental effects :

A inorganic fertilizer is a fertilizer comprising chemically refined or otherwise processed

compounds.

Manufacturers create inorganicfertilizers from inorganic materials, with the goal being to

replicate (and increase the potency of) natural, organic nutrients. Many environmentalists are
against the use of inorganic fertilizers, as they can produce several
negative environmental effects.

 Infertile Land
The synthesized materials manufacturers use in their inorganicfertilizers may help plants
grow, but they do not help the land they grow in. In fact, they can do quite the opposite.
According to Garden Counselor Lawn Care, the unnaturally high levels of nutrients that some
inorganic fertilizers contain can oversaturate land and cancel out the effectiveness of other
vital nutrients.

 Acidic Land

Another way inorganic fertilizers can make land infertile is by increasing its acidity. Many
inorganic fertilizers contain sulfuric and hydrochloric acid, which if used in excess can cause
serious harm to microorganisms (specifically the type that helps supply plants with nitrogen).
This can have a serious impact on the land’s pH and adversely affect plant growth.

 Increased Microorganisms

Nitrogen-rich inorganic fertilizers can have the complete opposite effect on land in

comparison to more acidic fertilizers. Too much nitrogen can lead to a microorganism
population boom. In large enough numbers, these microorganisms, instead of helping plants,
will hurt them, as they will consume all of the organic material and nutrients in the
surrounding land.

33
  Groundwater Pollution

Plants can only absorb a certain amount of nutrients. So if you over apply a inorganic
fertilizer, not all of the chemically synthesized nutrients within it will actually contribute to
the plant’s health and growth. Instead, the unused fertilizer will seep into the ground, where it
can be carried by rain and irrigation ditches into streams, rivers, lakes, reservoirs and oceans.
The inorganiccompounds in the fertilizer can contaminate drinking water supplies and disrupt
ecosystems.

 Salt Burns

Inorganic fertilizers are often very salty. The over-application of inorganic fertilizers can thus
contribute to plants developing unsightly “salt burns.” These occur when an over saturation
of salt leads to certain areas of the plant becoming dehydrated, and plant tissues dry out.

 Excess Growth

Due to the high potency of inorganic fertilizers, they can sometimes lead to plants becoming
too big for their own health. Larger limbs and thicker foliage translates to a considerable
increase weight, which can put stress on a plant’s roots.

6.Policy Implications

o Land use provides many economic and social benefits, but often comes at a
substantial cost to the environment. Although most economic costs are figured into
land use decisions, most environmental externalities are not. These environmental
“externalities” cause a divergence between private and social costs for some land
uses, leading to an inefficient land allocation.

o For example, developers may not bear all the environmental and infrastructural costs
generated by their projects. Farmland produces both agricultural commodities and
open space. Although farmers are paid for the commodities they produce, they may
not be compensated for the open space they provide. Thus, market prices of farmlands
may be below their social values.

34
 o Such “market failures” provide a justification for private conservation efforts and
public land use planning and regulation. Private trusts and non profit organizations
play an important role in land conservation. For example, the American Farmland
Trust claims that it has helped to protect more than one million acres of America’s
best farm and ranch land. The Nature Conservancy has protected more than 117
million acres of ecologically important lands. However, some have questioned
whether private conservation efforts crowd out or complement public efforts for land
conservation.

o Land use regulation can take many different forms. The traditional command and
control approach often involves zoning, density regulation, and other direct land use
controls. Although these policies can be quite effective as regulatory tools, they could
lead to substantial social welfare loss in the form of higher housing prices, smaller
houses, and inefficient land use patterns (Cheshire and Sheppard 2002; Walsh 2007).

o Incentive–based policies are increasingly used to influence private land use decisions.
These policies may include development impact fees, purchases of development
rights (PDRs), preferential property taxation, and direct conservation payments. From
1998 to 2006, voters approved 1,197 conservation initiatives in local and state
referenda in the United States, providing a total $34 billion for land and open space
preservation (Trust for Public Land 2007). The implementation of locally based,
long–term conservation plans has been touted as a critical element in achieving “smart
growth” (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 2007).

35
 o The incentive–based approach has many advantages over direct land use control. For
example, a development impact fee can be used to achieve both the optimal pace and
pattern of land development, a shortcoming of zoning regulations (Wu and Irwin,
2008). However, zoning may be preferred from a practical viewpoint as well as in
cases where the environmental costs of land conversion are highly uncertain. In
situations where the natural and human systems interact in complex ways, thresholds
and nonlinear dynamics are likely to exist, and the environmental costs could be very
high and sensitive to additional development. In such cases, zoning may be preferred.
The policy challenge, however, is to know when the system is in the neighborhood of
such thresholds.

o While federal spending on land–related conservation programs has increased

substantially over the last twenty five years, the federal government has yet to
articulate a clear vision of how land use should be managed (Daniels, 1999). Most
land use controls are in the hands of local governments in the United States, and the
level of control varies considerably across counties and municipalities. Some local
governments have few land use controls, while others are actively involved in land
use planning and regulation.

o Land use regulation is a contentious issue in many communities, particularly those

facing rapid urbanization. Proponents argue that land use planning protects farmland,
forests, water quality, open space, and wildlife habitat and, at the same time, increases
property value and human health. Conversely, uncontrolled development will destroy
the natural environment and long–term economic growth. Critics of land use
regulation call those fears overblown. They argue that urban development is an
orderly market process that allocates land from agriculture to urban use, and that
governments tend to over regulate because they rarely bear the costs of regulation.
The stakes are high in this debate. Any policy measures that aim at curbing urban
development will ultimately affect a key element of the American way of life, that is,
the ability to consume a large amount of living space at affordable prices.
Policymakers must resist the temptation to attribute all “irregular” land use patterns to
market failures and impose stringent land use regulations that may hinder the function
of market forces. They should try to identify the sources of market failures that cause

36
 "excessive development" and address problems at their roots. Land use regulation
must strike a balance between private property rights and the public interest

7.Human Issues

 At the very least, food crops produced using inorganic fertilizers may not be as
nutritious as they should be. This is because inorganic fertilizers trade fast growth for
health in plants, resulting in crops that have less nutritional value.

 Plants will grow on little more than NPK, but they will be missing or developing less
of essential nutrients such as calcium, zinc, and iron. This can have a small but
cumulative effect on the health of people that consume them.

 At worst, inorganic fertilizers may increase the risks of developing cancer in adults
and children and adversely affecting fetal brain development.
 This is not news to scientists. A 1994 study by the University of Wisconsin suggest
show that typical concentrations of nitrate (a common fertilizer) and a pesticide in the
groundwater may compromise the nervous, endocrine, and immune system of young

37
 children and developing fetuses.

  A study in 1973 associates high levels of sodium nitrate in groundwater with the
prevalence of gastric cancer, and another one in 1996 with that of testicular cancer.
 A relatively recent study, however, shows that inorganic fertilizers may play a
significant role in the development of methemoglobinemia, otherwise known as Blue
Baby syndrome.
 Researchers believe the condition results from feeding the infants with baby formula
using well water contaminated with nitrates. The baby literally turns blue and may
eventually lead to coma or death.

 Inorganic fertilizer contamination is not just a danger in rural areas, either. Much of
the excess fertilizer originates from cities, applied over residential and commercial
lawns and making their way to the water supply.

38
  The problem is such that many cities have laws restricting the use of inorganic
fertilizers in public spaces.

 Conclusion
Inorganic fertilizers have their uses, but they also have hidden dangers. Whether used
in a farm or lawn, applying more than the plants can use to help them grow results in
damage to the environment and human health. Because the damage caused by
inorganic fertilizers is often long-term and cumulative, it may be wiser to consider
alternative and sustainable methods of fertilizing the land.

8.Effect of water pollution

2. Effects of Inorganic fertilizers on Water Pollution

 Nowadays, human beings aware of harmful effects on the environment of the use of
nitrogenous fertilizers. Nitrogen in agricultural areas reach the water environment by
three ways: Drainage, leaching and flow.

 Nitrate leaching particularly linked to agricultural practices such as fertilizing and

cultivation. Irrigated agricultural land in some of the arid and semiarid regions,
increased amounts of nitrate accumulation in

 the land used and along with the evaporation of water. According to the conditions,
nitrate accumulated leached in varying amounts. It reaches the depth of land. In the
land, fertilizers converted to nitrate through nitrification by microorganisms. Due to
negatively charged of nitrate can reach ground water. Even in ideal conditions, Plants
use 50% of nitrogenous fertilizers applied to land, 2-20% lost evaporation, 15-25%

 react organic compounds in the clay land and the remaining 2-10% interfere surface
and ground water The majority of nitrogenous fertilizers aren't absorbed products and
they interfere with both underground and surface water. Groundwater nitrate problem
should be considered in a global context. 22% of cultivated areas in Europe for the
international recommended dirinking water nitrate

 concentration in graundwater concentration ( 11.3 mg/L) above. In European

Countries, NO3-N concentration value is 23 mg/L and in the USA it is 45 mg/L.

39
 NO3 and NH4+ concentration, Nottingham, United Kingdom exceeds the stated limits.

The city of Nottingham is underlain by the unconfined Sherwood aquifer, which is

vulnerable to contamination from various sources arising from urban and

 industrial activities of the region. According to that study, samples of aquifer

recharge, both artifical and natural, and of shallow and deep groundwater were
collected to determine the sources and level of contamination from nitrogen species.
Deep groundwater contains low concentrations of ammonium (less than 0.3 mg-N/L)
throughout, however much higher nitrate concentrations (less than 1.0 mg/N/L to 28.0
mg-N/L). Most remaining groundwater samples have a nitrogen fertiliser source,
possibly derived from

 an influent river draining a rural catchment. In that study, groundwater quality is

continuously monitored

 and isotopic measurements were made. Similar high concentrations of NO3 and
NH4+ have also been

 reported in the USA. According to research carried out in wells used on farms in
Ontario, Canada,

40
  approximately 14% of the wells were found to be over the limit values of NO3-N

concentration. In that

 study, four farm wells were chosen in each township where >50% of the land area
was used for

 agricultural production. With in the practical constraints of the survey, it was

considered that a total of

 between 1000 and 1500 wells could realistically be included in the study. Nitrate
concentration was measured spectrophotometrically .In Antalya region of Kumluca
their study on the determination of nitrate concent of well water NO3 2.46-164.91

mg/L is changing and the region of approximately 50% of nitrate pollution of well
water was subjected stated. Water samples were taken from 20 wells in the region.

 The results obtained showed that the NO3 content of the well waters in the region

changed from 2.46 to 164.91 mg/L, NH4 content from 2.35 to 7.22 mg/L, [NO 3-N]+

[NH4-N] content from 2.84 to 40.02 mg/L. It was found that the NO 3 content of the

50% of the well waters were higher than 45 mg/L which was

 accepted as critical value for the NO3 pollution in waters . In Eskisehir, NO3

pollution in their study report that under the alluvial aquifer. The water analyses from
51 wells and 9 sampling points on the Porsuk River, taken over a 2-year period, were
used to examine the nitrate pollution in the groundwater.

 The average nitrate concentration in the groundwater of the study area was 40.0 mg/L;
34.2% of the nitrate concentration of the samples were above 45 mg/L the upper limit
in drinking water standarts .

 Their study related to the concentration of nitrate Demre, Antalya region of

approximately 45% of well water that is allowed by the World Health Organization,
50 mg/L is above the limit value stated. In the same study at the begining of growing

41
 season with high concentration of NO3 training period before the decline in again

showed an increase after found that .

 One of the most important parameters of the pollution of water is nitrate which is the
basic component of fertilizer. Both the nitrate concentration of groundwater and
surface water is increased by agricultural activities. Nitrate is the most common form
of dissolved nitrogen in groundwater. However, It can be found in the form of nitrite
(NO2-), nitrogen (N2), nitrogen oxide (N2O) and organic nitrogen.

 Nitrates from drinking water of the body is absorbed in the intestinal tract 4-12h and is
exceted by the kidneys. The mechanism, as well as the salivary glands can concentrate
nitrate. As a result, the mouth is reduced to nitrite in the anaerobic environment.

 It is possible to examine the toxicological effects of nitrate in three stages. The

primary toxic effect of nitrate concentrations in drinking water of 50 mg NO 3- /L

exceeds the value of the bowel in adults, digestive and urinary systems, inflammation
is seen. Seconder toxicity, high nitrate concentration in drinking water caused digease
in infants methamoglobianemi. Stomach acid does not occur in infants younger than
six months. In this environment, nitrate nitrite reacts with hemoglobin in the blood is
minimized methamoglobin consists of nitrite in the digestive system. Meanwhile, iron
contained in hemoglobin and blood oxygen transport function lost. As a result, infants
are found stragled to death.

 Advancing age, it is eliminated as a result of the increase in stomach acids. Toxicity in

acid medium of secondary and tertiary amines tertiory nitrites, alkyl ammonium bases
and react accordingly amides occurs a s a result nitrosamines occurs, as a result of this
and nitrosomines. Strong carcinogenic effects of these compound has been identified
in recent studies. One of the most important negative effects of intensive fertilizer use
is water eutrophication. Increased amounts of nitrogen and phosphorous compounds
in water as a result of the increase in the amount of higher aquatic plants and algae
formation and degradation of water quality and water environment in the event of life
is defined as eutrophication.

42
  Eutrophication in the bottom layer, oxygen-free environment as a result, not suitable
for drinking and water supply, reduction in the number of living species in the aquatic
environment fish kills, proliferation of unwanted species, odor problem, the media
appear to be unsuitable for recreation [5-11].

 Calcareous and alkaline lands, especially applied to the land surface structure and
ammonium fertilizers with urea, can result in evaporation of NH3. Evaporation of

ammonia, a large number of land and environmental factors can be controlled and
directly proportional to the concentration of ammonia in the land solution.

9.LAND POLLLUTION

According to the researces and studies the effects of inorganic fertilizers on the land is not
immediately
obvious. Because lands have strong buffering power due to their components. Over the time, it
states that

 emerged from the pollution, deterioration of land fertility, land degradation reactions
occuring in the land leads to deterioration of the balance of the current element. In
addition, toxic substances accumulate within the vegetables and causing negative
effects in humans and animals are fed.

 Land structure in agricultural productivity are very important and it is regarded as an

indicator.Unconsciously, the fertilizing, land, just as in the deterioration of the
structure is caused by industrial emissions. Especially NaNo3, NH4NO3, KCI,

K2SO4, NH4Cl demolish the structure, such as fertilizers,

 land, land structure, deterioration is difficult to obtain high-quality and efficient

product.

 Particularly high level of sodium and potassium containing fertilizers, make a

negative impact on land, pH, land structure deterioration and the increasing feature of
acid irrigation or other agricultural operations or from the benefits derived from it is
not possible or very scarce. Continuous use of acid-forming nitrogen fertilizers causes

43
 a decrease in land pH, liming, if not carried to prevent the declining efficiency of field
crops. Basic use of fertilizers in the land leads to an increase in pH. Increaeses in land
and plants,

 seedlings pH circuit of a sudden drop in the land and quality drops, but causes
harmfulness. In addition expanding the size of land pollution by accumulation in the
land. Research in the province of Rize in the territory of our country, one-way
ammonium sulfate fertilization of tea, actually led to an increase in acidity of lands
with low pH. Today 85% of the territory has dropped below pH 4 which is considered
as the critical level. In Nevsehir over the last twenty-five years as a result of nitrogen
fertilization of potatoes grown in 100-fold increased acidity of the land pH has fallen
to 2. Granting the land, excessive nitrogen fertilizers Rhizobium sp. activites, such as
symbiotic nitrogen fixing microorganisms is negatively affected. In this case, the part
of the air plugs to benefit from the free nitro. In addition, more nitrogenous fertilizers
limit the activities of nitrifying bacteria. Thus, the cost of the second nitrogen source
is damaged Given large amounts of potassium fertilizers in the land of Ca and Fe with
Zn disrupt the balance of nutrients by the plants and prevent the receipt.

 However, the negative effects on organisms, given the

44
  variety of worms and land mite has been devastating and lethal effect.

10.AIR POLLUTION

 It is known to be one of the most important inputs of fertilizers in agricultural

production. When it is applied inadequate, rates of productivity and quality are caused
significant losses. When it is too much applied, it causes air pollution by nitrogen
oxides (NO, N2O, NO2) emissions. Nowadays, there are some gases in the

45
 atmosphere. Their names are water vapor, carbon dioxide, methane, hydrogen sulfide
(H2S)

 with chloro-fluoro hydrocarbons, such as halon gases associated with these

compounds. Also there are some gases on lower layers of tropospheric ozone. These
gases contribution to the greenhouses effect. As a global, atmospheric N 2O increases

from 0.2 to 0.3% each year. Also in case of excessive use of nitrogenous fertilizers,
especially nitrate content of levels of the plant would threaten human health level
reaches the leaf vegetables eaten .

 Calcareous and alkaline lands, especially applied to the land surface structure and
ammonium fertilizers with urea, can result in evaporation of NH3. Evaporation of

ammonia, a large number of land and environmental factors can be controlled and
directly proportional to the concentration of ammonia in the land solution.

11.Regulatory measures and their impact on ____________.

The organic production system aims at supporting and sustaining healthy ecosystems, land,
farmers, food production, the community, and the economy. Reduction and elimination of the
adverse
effectsofsyntheticfertilizersandpesticidesonhumanhealthandtheenvironmentisastrongindicator
that organic agriculture is gaining worldwide attention. Organic fertilizers are
environmentally friendly, since they are from organic sources .The current global scenario
firmly emphasizes the need to adopt eco-friendlyagricultural practices for sustainable food
production. The cost of inorganic fertilizers is increasing enormously, to the extent that they
are out of reach for small and marginal farmers. The organic fertilizers provide nutritional
requirements, suppress plant pest populations, and increase the land and quality of
agricultural crops in ways similar to inorganic fertilizers . Solaiman and Rabbani reported
results and their findings on the application of a combination of cow dung and a half dose of
inorganic fertilizer. Bio fertilizers such as Trichoderma enriched with inorganic fertilizers
play a significant role in the growth and land of crops, e.g., mustard and tomato, and have the
potential to reduce 50% of the cost of inorganic fertilizers . Microorganisms or plant growth
promoting rhizobacteria (Bacillus spp) inoculant help to reduce the application of inorganic

46
 Organic fertilizers contain macro-nutrients, essential micro-nutrients, vitamins, growth-
promoting indole acetic acid (IAA), gibberellic acid (GA) and beneficial microorganisms .
The sustainability of conventional agriculture in Bangladesh is under threat from the
continuous degradation of land and water resources and from declining lands due to the
indiscriminate use of agro-chemicals. Land quality has been affected by excessive
applications of inorganicfarming in Bangladesh. Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) is one of
the important vegetable crops grown throughout the world and ranks next to the potato and
sweet potato in terms of area, but ranks first as a processing crop . The cultivated area under
tomato was 18.8 thousand hectares with a total production in Bangladesh of 251 thousands
metric tons . Tomato is grown in the summer and winter seasons in Bangladesh; however,
production varies in various regions due to varieties, seasons, climatic conditions, planting
times, management practices and land properties .Ahammad et al. found that planting time
and varietal selection influenced tomato production from 4.51 to 55.91 t/ha. The objective of
this research project was to evaluate the effect of organic and inorganic fertilizers combined
on the growth, land and quality of tomato and on land properties

Results and Discussion

The analysis of variance results showed that the effect of mixed fertilizers on tomato land
was significant (p < 0.01). Higher lands were obtained from mixed fertilizer treatments
compared to the control (no fertilizer application). The application of T3 (mixed fertilizers,
organic 2/3 + inorganic 1/3) produced the highest number of flower clusters (31.2), fruit
clusters (24.9), fruit land (15.3 t/ha) and plant height (71.6 cm). T5 (control or no fertilizer)
had the lowest number of flower clusters per plant (27.22), number of fruit clusters per plant
(20.1 cm), land (9.4 t/ha) and plant height (62.1 t/ha). The plant height was significantly
different in different fertilizer treatments between varieties. The maximum plant height (73.5
cm) was recorded in the IPNS (organic 2/3 + inorganic 1/3)
application(Figure1)invariety1(RomaVF)(Figure2).
IPNStreatmentproduceda38.5%higherland comparedtothecontrol.
Similarly,7.3%,8.2%,21.8%higherlandswererecordedinthevermicompost,
compostandchemicalfertilizerapplicationsrespectively,comparedtothecontrol(Table3).
Theresults obtained concur with earlier findings reported by Patil et al. [22] and Reddy et al.
[23]. The mixed fertilizer treatment was the best for tomato production, which could be

47
 interpreted as the release of nutrients from organic and inorganic fertilizers at different times.
Fertilizer treatment (mixed or IPNS) produced a higher land compared to organic fertilizers
and inorganic fertilizers alone in cabbage [24] and in eggplant

figure 1. Effect of fertilizer treatments on plant height on different days after transplanting (DAT).
Vertical bars represent Least Significant difference (LSD) at 1% level of probability. T1 =
Vermicompost, T2 = Compost, T3 = Integrated plant nutrient system (IPNS) (organic 2/3 + inorganic
1/3), T4 = Inorganic fertilizers, T5 = Control

48
 figure 2 : plant hight of two tomato variety on different days after transplanting vertical bar
represents LSD at 1% level of probability (v1 = roma VF and V2= BARI tomato 15 )

Fertilizers and variety treatments influenced the number of fruits per plant.

A higher number of fruits (73.7) was recorded in var. Roma VF (V1T3) with the mixed
fertilizer treatment (organic 2/3 + inorganic 1/3), while the lowest number (41.3) was
obtained in the control (no fertilizer) of the BARI tomato 15 (V2T5). Plant height of 61.1 cm
was recorded in variety BARI tomato 15 in the control group (no fertilizer, V2T5) (Table 4).

Both Roma VF (V1) and BARI 15 (V2) varieties showed enhanced performance with IPNS
or mixed fertilizer applications. The results indicate that mixed fertilizers produced improved

49
 land in tomato varieties. A high land per hectare (15.3 t/ha) was obtained in T3 (Mixed,
organic 2/3 + inorganic 1/3), 12.1 t/ha in inorganic fertilizer (T4), 10.2 t/ha in vermicompost
(T1) and 9.4 t/ha in compost (T2) applications.

Roma VF had significantly higher lands (12.8 t/ha) than BARI tomato 15 (10.1 t/ha). The
maximum fruit land (20.8 t/ha) was obtained from the mixed fertilizers (organic 2/3 +
inorganic 1/3) with Roma VF (V1T3) and the minimum (8.4 t/ha) from the control (no
fertilizer) with BARI tomato 15 (V2T5) (Table 5).

The fruit length and diameter were higher under the IPNS treatment. Both varieties produced
higher numbers of flower clusters and fruit clusters per plant.

These findings trended significantly towards the higher production of tomato under the
IPNS. Roma VF produced a significantly higher land (12.8 t/ha) than BARI tomato 15 (10.1
t/ha).

A high fruit land (20.8 t/ha) was obtained in the mixed fertilizer application (organic 2/3 +
inorganic 1/3) for Roma VF (V1T3) and the lowest land (8.4 t/ha) was obtained in the control
(no fertilizer) with BARI tomato 15 (V2T5).

A significant difference in the fruit length and diameter was recorded in the two varieties.
Flower and fruit clusters per plant were higher in Roma VF. The higher number of flower and
fruit clusters per plant in both varieties was observed in the IPNS application (T3).

Combined effect of fertilizers and variety treatment observed higher land in Roma VF, and
the highest production under IPNS treatment of both varieties.

The improved land in tomato in the combination of cow dung and inorganic fertilizer has
been reported [11] in the literature.

The enhanced performance of integrated nutrient management practices has been reported in
vegetables such as brinjal, cabbage and mustard [12,24,25].

The application of the mixed fertilizer strategy and bio fertilizer Trichoderma-enriched
fertilizer or the inoculation of rhizobacteria is gaining popularity in Bangladesh [12,13]

. It has been found that microorganisms and plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR)
Bacillus spp. enhance nutrient availability, nutrient use efficiency and increase the growth
and land of plants.

50
 Plant growth may be influenced by some PGPR through synthesizing plant hormones or
facilitating the uptake of nutrients from the land by different direct mechanisms, e.g.,
atmospheric nitrogen (N) fixation, solubilization of phosphorus (P), and synthesis of
siderophores for iron sequestration, making nutrients available to plants [26,27].

51
 The total soluble solid (TSS) of Roma VF (V1) and BARI 15 (V2) was 9 and 10,
respectively. Fertilizer treatments did not significantly influence the TSS of the tomato, and
fruit quality was not affected in various fertilizer treatments.

4. Conclusions This study illustrates that combinations of mixed fertilizers or an integrated

plant nutrient system (IPNS) produced the best results on plant growth, fruit measurements
and land of both varieties Roma VF and BARI 15. On the other hand, Roma VF produced
higher quality attributes and land over the BARI tomato 15. Combined applications of
organic and inorganic sources of nutrients are more productive and sustain land fertility. For
the determination of an appropriate ratio of organic and inorganic sources, the experiment
may be repeated at different locations for different varieties of tomato.

12.Campaign and movements for _________.

4.1 he requirement/ demand for fertilizers for Kharif and Rabi season is assessed in bi-
annual Zonal Conferences held by Department of Agriculture, Co-operation & Farmers
Welfare (DAC & FW) with the representatives of fertilizer companies, Fertilizer Association
of India, Ministry of Railways, State Governments, Department of Ferti-lizers and other
concerned agencies. The projected requirement is communicated to DoF. Every month,
Movement Division prepares agreed supply plan in consultation with manufacturers and
importers to meet the demand of fertilizers projected by DAC & FW. State-wise availability
of fertilizers as per supply plan is made and monitored up to State level by the Department of
Fertilizers, the concerned State Governments are responsible for monitoring the availability
intra-state.

4.2

4.2.1 The availability of urea remained satisfactory throughout the seasons of Kharif 2017
and Rabi 2017-18 (up to Dec.'17).

4.2.2 Kharif 2017: The assessed requirement of Urea for Kharif 2017was 144.24 LMT
(without reserve allocation). The season started with an opening stock of 13.39LMT (as on

52
 01.04.2017) with states. Efficient movement and timely import of Urea helped in ensuring
adequate availability in all the Sates throughout the season. The overall availability of urea
was161.52 LMT. The sales were 147.41 LMT during Kharif 2017. 4.2.3 Rabi 2017-
18(uptoNov.'18): The assessed requirement of Urea for Rabi 2017-18(uptoDec.'17) was
94.30LMT and for the complete season of Rabi 2017-18 is 154.30 LMT. The season started
with an opening stock of 11.13LMT (as on 1.10.2017)with states.efficient movement and
timely import of Urea helped in ensuring adequate availability in all the Sates throughout the
season. The overall availability of urea was 96.23LMT. The sales were 86.13LMT during
Rabi 2017-18 (up to Dec.'17).

4.3

DAP 4.3.1 The availability of DAP remained satisfactory throughout the seasons of Kharif
2017 and Rabi 2017-18(upto Dec.'17).

4.3.2 Kharif 2017: The assessed requirement of DAP for Kharif 2017 was 47.91 LMT. The
season started with an opening stock of 5.79 LMT. Efficient movement and timely import of
DAP helped in ensuring adequate availability in all the Sates throughout the season. The
overall availability of DAP was 54.65 LMT. The sales were 33.76LMT during Kharif 2017.

4.3.3 Rabi 2017-18 (up to Dec.'17): The assessed requirement of DAP for Rabi 2017-18 (up
to Dec.'17) was 36.79LMT and for the complete season of Rabi 2017-18 is 50.83 LMT. The
season started with an opening stock of 9.91LMT (as on 1.10.2017) with states. Efficient
movement and timely import of DAP helped in ensuring adequate availability in all the Sates
throughout the season. The availability of DAP with the States was 37.94LMT. The sales
were only 32.74LMT during Rabi 2017-18 (up to Dec.'17).

4.4 NPK

4.4.1 The availability of NPK remained satisfactory throughout the seasons of Kharif 2017
and Rabi 2017-18 (up to Dec.'17).

4.4.2 Kharif 2017: The assessed requirement of NPK for Kharif 2017 was 47.73 LMT. The
season started with an opening stock of 6.67 LMT (as on 01.04.2017)with states. Efficient
movement and timely import of NPK helped in ensuring adequate availability in all the Sates
throughout the season. The overall availability of NPK was52.01LMT was available with the
States. The sales were 40.98 LMT during Kharif 2017.

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 4.4.3 Rabi 2017-18 (up to Dec.'17): The assessed requirement of NPK for Rabi 2017-18 (up
to Dec.'17) was 28.06 LMT and for the complete season of Rabi 2017-18 is 50.46 LMT. The
season started with an opening stock of 9.71LMT (as on 1.10.2017)with states. Efficient
movement and timely import of NPK helped in ensuring adequate availability in all the Sates
throughout the season. The overall availability of NPK with the States was 36.48LMT. The
sales were only 23.55 LMT during Rabi 017-18 (up to Dec.'17).

4.5 MOP

4.5.1 The availability of MOP remained satisfactory throughout the seasons of Kharif 2017
and Rabi 2017-18 (up to Dec.'17)

. 4.5.2 Kharif 2017: The assessed requirement of MOP for Kharif 2017 was 17.19 LMT. The
season started with an opening stock of 0.78 LMT (as on 01.04.2017)with states. Efficient
movement and timely import of MOP helped in ensuring adequate availability in all the Sates
throughout the season. Annual Report 2017-18 The overall availability of MOP 20.20LMT
was available with the States. The sales were only 17.64 LMT during Kharif 2017.

4.5.3 Rabi 2017-18 (up to Dec.'17): The assessed requirement of MOP for Rabi 2017-18 (up
to Dec.'17) was 10.05 LMT and for the complete season of Rabi 2017-18 is16.70 LMT. The
season started with an opening stock of 2.17LMT (as on 1.10.2017) with states. Efficient
movement and timely import of MOP helped in ensuring adequate availability in all the Sates
throughout the season. The availability of MOP with the States was 11.51LMT. The sales
were only 8.29LMT during Rabi 2017-18 (up to Dec.'17).

13.Glimpses of various reports on _______.

3. Trends in oil-based inorganic fertilizer use

In the 1960s, the phenomenon called Green Revolution was introduced to feed the booming
world population of that time. It has been praised for significantly increasing cereal lands
using conventional varieties and increased oil-based inorganic inputs, fertilizers, including
insecticides/ pesticides. In earlier agricultural plant nutrition programmes in the country, the
consideration for the judicious use and proper nutrient balance was not given much
consideration, even by the country’s leading local and international scientists. It is very
evident that farmers, while very much aware of the importance of new plant varieties, was

54
 not properly guided in the use of fertilizers appropriate to plant individuals (HYV’s) and the
type of lands they are being grown. Figure 9 indicate success of the national government in
encouraging farmers to perform national function to support national food security by using
more fertilizers. Unfortunately, Figure 9 suggested that farmers favoured Urea and is used
without consideration for using it together with the right amounts of P and K as needed by
their land to sustain high biomass production of the HYV plant varieties. This can be partly
explained by the facts that Urea gives good green color to the plants and these effects on the
plants are visible and easily seen by the farmers.

On one hand, data for the yearly average fertilizer usage by fertilizer grade for rice, on a
hectare basis for the period covering 1988-1991 are shown in Figure 10 while annual
fertilizer usage per hectare, by fertilizer grade for corn, for the period covering 1988-1997 is
shown in Figure 11. Apparently, Figures 10 and 11, has illustrated the significant preference
for fertilizer nitrogen specifically sourced from Urea, over the rest of the fertilizer grades
used in both irrigated and upland farmlands in the country. Over the next decades, Filipino
farmers have generally preferred Urea because of their greening effects on plants without
them, since nobody provided them with proper information, knowing that the use of Urea
alone results in land mining. This is, in spite, of the presence of various inorganic and organic
fertilizers sold in the market (Tables 2, 3 and 4) and increasing prices of the inputs (Table 5).
Later on, land analysis conducted between 1970 and 1990 revealed that there is an increasing
number of plant nutrients required to sustain plant growth (Table 6)

Figure 10. Average annual fertilizer usage per hectare for rice by fertilizer grade in the
Philippines

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 Table 2. Types of inorganic fertilizers locally produced and imported (Concepcion, 2000)

Locally produced Grade Import Grade

2. General practices in relation to land productivity

Even though the realization about proper management of agricultural resources was gradually
increased, the mainstream agricultural practices in Thailand is still far from maintaining or
enhancing the land productivity. Land of the main crops like rice, maize, and sugarcane are
somewhat increased from the past. From 1995 to 2004, land of rice increased slowly from
2.42 to 2.64 tonnes/ha, land of maize increased from 3.29 to 3.87 tonnes/ha, but land of
sugarcane varied widely between 46.1 to 65.2 tonnes/ha which depends mostly on climatic
condition. The causes of increasing lands were likely to come from high land crop varieties or
better management in irrigation rather than land improvement methods. Increasing land, on
the other hand, means more nutrients were removed from land if the nutrient input rate was
not increased. Total lands of rice, maize, and sugarcane of the country were 58.189, 4.216,
and 49.572 million tonnes in the year 2004, respectively. With the average nutrient content of
the crops in Table 1, enormous nutrient loss from agricultural land in one year from only
three crops can be estimated. Converting the nutrient losses in the form of the inorganic
fertilizers (21-0-0, 0-46-0, and 0-0-60), the quantity were 4 514 922.5 tonnes of 21-0-0
fertilizer, 849 891.3 tonnes of 0-46-0 fertilizer, and 562 844.4 tonnes of 0-0-60 fertilizer for
N, P and K, respectively. Compared to the total of 3 939 376 tonnes of imported inorganic
fertilizers to Thailand in the year 2004, nutrient losses by crop removal or other losses still far

56
 exceed nutrient gained by fertilizer application or other land improvement measures.

Not only removed with the land, nutrients remained in crop residues which should be
incorporated into the land were also removed with the straw for other uses or burnt in the
field. These old conventional practices accelerate the nutrient depletion of the land and put
more tension in nutrient imbalance. Even though the methods of crop residue incorporation,
composting, and green manure were recommended for land improvement for decades, only a
small portion of the farmers adopted the techniques. There are many underlying reasons for
the non-adoption of the techniques, but mainly tedious work and high practical cost involved.
Large amount of organic materials must be used in order to increase significant land, and will
entail high cost. The difficulty in applying the bulky compost and the high labour cost for
compost application are among the other reasons.

Fertilizer use

Contributing to the increased land were the widespread adoption and use of improved, high
landing varieties, better irrigation, plant protection, together with inputs of fertilizer.
According to research from NISF (1998-2000), one unit of N-P-K gives in average of 7.5-8.5
kg of paddy. Each year, Viet Nam spends almost $600 millions US for importing almost 100
percent, 80 percent and 10 percent of the country’s requirement in K, N, and P respectively,
for food production. Details of fertilizer sources and uses are shown in Tables 4 and 5. Viet
Nam farmers used an average of 234 fertilizer unit per ha in 2004 comparison with 134 unit
in 1998 and only 18 unit in 1976.

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58
59
 Lands

The local classification used in Fiji is based on Twyford and Wright (1965) that splits the Fiji
lands into 12 major groups called the Great Groups.

A. Recent lands

1. Coastal Sand – occurring on the coastline

2. Alluvial Land – of the river valleys

3. Colluvial Land – of the foot slope B. Wetland lands

4. Gley Land – of poorly drained low lying area

5. Saline Land – of the mangrove swamp C. Black hill lands

6. Nigrescent – in soapstone areas, boulder/rock outcrops D. Red hill lands

7. Latosolic Land – stony land of volcanic ash etc.

8. Humic Latosols – deeply weathered and highly leached red lands

9. Ferruginous Latosols – Talasiga lands, degraded humic latosols – highly erodible,

infertile, dusky red lands E. Yellow hill lands

10. Red Yellow Podsolic – yellowish brown deeply weathered lands. F. Organic lands

11. Peat – decomposing plant matter developed under anaerobic conditions in

waterlogged areas. G. Steepland lands

12. Steepland equivalent of all hill lands in C, D and E. Under the USDA Classification
System these lands fall into nine land orders, namely:

1. Entisol 2. Inceptisol 3. Mollisols 4. Alfisols 5. Andisols 6. Ultisols 7. Oxisols 8. Vertisols

9. Histosols

Barrier

60
 Land retention barriers Land erosion is one of the main problems faced by
farmers in gardens on steep hill. People are well aware of the effects of
erosion relating removing of land fertility and decline of crop land.
Particularly in Simbu province in the highlands agro-ecological zone, people
construct barriers such as pegged logs, fences or hurdles and stonewall along
the contour or below individual plants in order to prevent or reduce the down
movement of land

Inorganic fertilizer application:

Inorganic fertilizers are man-made ones such as Urea or muriate of potash.

Already many semicommercial farmers throughout the highlands agro-
ecological zones in the country are using inorganic fertilizers on food crops
that sold. The crops include potato, broccoli, sweet potato, sugarcane and
cabbage. The inorganic fertilizers are placed in gardens by basal application or
side dressing to increase land fertility. The Irish potato-growing farmers in the
highlands agro-ecological zone observed a high land of Irish potato, variety
Sequoia, with the use of inorganic fertilizers, Potato Mix (12:12:17). The
average marketable land without use of inorganic fertilizer was 9 t/ha while
with the use of inorganic fertilizer the lands was 19 t/ha. So now farmers
prefer planting this sequoia variety using Potato Mix rather than growing
without it. The recommended application rate for Potato Mix application is 1
200 kg/ha. However, people in most area are using it in excess in expectation
of higher land. With the current problem of Potato Late Blight, there is an
additional cost in production affecting most potato farmers since 2003.
Broccoli is planted using a ratio of 1:1 NPK + Triplesuperphosphate, an the
inorganic fertilizer, at an application rate of 40 g/plant that gave the highest
land (Kanua and Liripu, 1988). Many village people throughout the highlands
agro-ecological region are growing sweet potato for sale. The farmers who
grow sweet potato range from full commercial ones to those who use their
traditional subsistence techniques (Bourke, 1990). People are using Urea and
Muriate of Potash and mixed in a 2:3 ratio and apply at the rate of 25 grams
per square metre (Bourke, 1979). However, the result of inorganic trials on
sweet potato in the highlands has not been very consistent. For this reason it

61
 was suggested that inorganic fertilizers should be used carefully (Bourke,
1979). In this area, inorganic fertilizers are also used in plantation to increase
production of export crops like coffee, coconut and cocoa as a result of
declining land fertility. The increase land in inorganic fertilizer application is
encouraging more farmers to use the inorganic fertilizers. However, the high
cost and the availability of specific types of fertilizers are the main constraints
that farmers experience. People are also not using the recommended rates,
either applying too much or too little and not at the right time either.

http://www.fao.org/tempref/docrep/fao/010/ag120e/ag120e02.pdf

on
Understand how much nutrients (NPK) the crop needs
to produce a ton of grain per hectare and translate that
amount to what you have to apply the field.
Zinc and sometimes What are the most common nutrient deficiencies and why?
sulfur deficiencies
are much less
frequent but can be
important locally.
 
Nitrogen,
phosphorous and
potassium make the
rice plant strong
and healthy with
many tillers which
result in a high
land.
The different benefits of N, P and K to the rice plant

 
 
 
How much nutrients does the crop need?
 

In the previous lessons we explained that the crop needs nutrients to grow and mature
normally.

62
 The rice crop needs the following uptake of N, P and K to produce 1 ton of grain per
hectare:
 
 Nitrogen (N):15-20 kg
 
 Phosphorous (P): 2-3 kg
 
 Potassium (K): 15-20 kg (If all straw remains in the field and is evenly distributed, K
requirements can be reduced to 3-5 kg/ha per ton of grain land.
 
 
 
So, how much fertilizer do you need to apply?
 

In every field, you will get a certain grain land even if you don�t apply any fertilizer. The
nutrients for this land are supplied by the land. If you want to increase the land, it is
necessary to apply fertilizers.
 
However, it is very important to understand that of all the fertilizer you apply on the
field, the crop can only take up a fraction.
 
For nitrogen, for example, even with good management about half the applied fertilizer
(50%) is lost. We said above that the plants need to take up 15 to 20 kg of nitrogen per
hectare to produce 1 ton of grain. This means we have to apply twice as much fertilizer, or
30 to 40 kg of N per hectare, to produce an extra ton of grain!
So, imagine:

63
 N, P and K are the most needed nutrients in rice

 
Nitrogen (N) promotes rapid plant
growth and improves grain land and grain
quality. N is generally the most limiting
nutrient as it is needed in large amounts
and is readily lost as a gas (volatilized)
and by leaching (washing out of the root
zone). Nitrogen deficiency is the most common nutrient
problem. The plants give a lower land due to limited
 
photosynthesis and assimilation.
 

   
Phosphorus (P) is essential for root
development, tillering, early flowering,
and ripening. It is especially deficient in
sandy lands with low organic matter
contents, in very acid lands and in
alkaline lands.
 
 
P deficient plants are stunted, tillering is reduced, the
leaves often have a blackish green color, and maturity
is delayed.
   
 
Potassium (K) is essential for root
growth and plant vigor. It also helps
against lodging and improves the crop
resistance to diseases. Potassium can
quickly become land limiting in high
landing rice systems where most of the
straw is removed because rice straw is
rich in K!
   
K deficient plants are stunted dark green plants with
yellowish brown leaf margins older leaves can have
necrotic tips and margins, and lodging is more
frequent.
 

64
 14.Remedial measures / corrective actions for _________.

65
 Advantages of Inorganic Fertilizer

Inorganic fertilizers are also sometimes referred to as inorganicor synthetic fertilizer because
their plant-providing nutrients have been synthesized or manufactured in a laboratory or
refinery. Until 100 years ago, fertilizers were all organic because the science and chemistry
behind inorganic fertilizers had not been developed. However, since then we have learned
plants develop well using inorganic nutrients, and these fertilizers offer gardeners several
advantages.

 Fast Acting
One advantage inorganic fertilizers offer is that they are fast acting. These nutrient-rich salts
dissolve quickly and are immediately available to the plants depending on them to provide
essential nourishment in the form of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. In cases when
plants show signs of nutrient deficiency, inorganic fertilizers have a distinct advantage over
organic choices, which depend on land organisms to first break down the organic matter
before nutrients can be released. This delay can result in plants not receiving required levels
of vital nutrients and causing stunted growth, poor fruit and flower development or weak
stems. Inorganic fertilizer's fast delivery of essential elements and minerals eliminates this
potential problem.

 Precise Content
Another advantage that inorganic fertilizers offer is the precise content of nutrients is
guaranteed by law. The breakdown of the plant nutrients is provided as a percentage, which
you will commonly see displayed as 12-10-10, 16-6-4 or 10-10-10, for example, on inorganic
fertilizer bags or containers. The first number listed is always the percentage of nitrogen,
followed by the same for phosphorus and potassium, or N-P-K. Therefore, in a 16-6-4
inorganic fertilizer, 16 percent of the contents is nitrogen, 6 percent is phosphorus and 4
percent is potassium. The precise content of fertilizers is important to know because
individual garden land requirements, as well as specific plant needs, vary. Knowing exactly
which nutrients and in what quantities you are adding to the land will ensure growing plants
will have the correct nourishment they'll need for healthy development

66
  Easy to Use
Inorganic fertilizers also offer the advantage of coming in several easy-to-use formulations,
which also makes them much easier to transport than organic fertilizers like manure.
Inorganic fertilizers are available as dry granules, water-soluble powders and liquid
concentrates, as well as spikes and tabular formats designed specifically for indoor or garden
container plants. Controlled-release inorganic fertilizers dispense plant nutrients over an
extended period from three to eight months, eliminating the need for repeated fertilizer
applications throughout the growing season -- an added advantage for busy home gardeners.

 Lower Cost
Because inorganic fertilizers are mass produced, they are less costly than organic fertilizers,
which carry a significantly higher expense. In particular, dry granular controlled-release
inorganic fertilizers are a very cost-efficient option for home gardeners because they provide
complete nutrition and do not require repeated applications.

 Pet Friendliness
Some inorganic fertilizers contain ingredients such as carbamates or organophosphates,
which can potentially be dangerous to your pet. You should avoid these if you have dogs or
cats. Other inorganic fertilizers are generally pet safe when used as directed.

Paradoxically, organic fertilizers can be more dangerous. They're often derived from meat or
fish byproducts and, unlike inorganic fertilizers, these smell remarkably appealing to pets.
Given the chance, many pets will eat enough of these products to become very ill indeed

The Disadvantages of Inorganic Fertilizer

Knowing the drawbacks of inorganic fertilizers makes it easier to mitigate the negative side
effects they can cause. In most cases, the benefits of inorganic fertilizers outweigh their
disadvantages when they are used correctly. Most problems with inorganic fertilizers occur
when they are overused or applied incorrectly. Performing a land test before you use fertilizer
is an accurate way to determine the right type and amount of fertilizer your land needs.

67
  Salt Accumulation
Repeated applications of inorganic fertilizer can lead to the buildup of salt in your land. Salt
accumulation in the land forces your plants to expend more energy to draw water from the
land and can cause them to appear wilted or dried out. Lands with an excessive concentration
of salt have a white crusty surface and can become compacted. Plants that are sensitive to
high salinity lands often show the ill effects of salt accumulation before the salt becomes
visible on the surface.
 Runoff
Most organic fertilizers are water-soluble and can wash away if there is rainfall shortly after
they are applied. Fertilizers that wash away during a heavy rainfall can pollute streams, ponds
and other bodies of open water. Storm water runoff laden with inorganic fertilizers can cause
algae and other aquatic plants in the water to grow excessively. In extreme cases, the
overgrowth of plant life can lead to the death of all plant and animal life growing in the
polluted water source.
 Plant Damage
Incorrectly applied inorganic fertilizers can damage the plants that they are supposed to feed.
Fertilizer that comes in contact with the leaves of your plants can cause leaf scorching if the
leaves of the plant are wet. Over applying inorganic fertilizers can also damage your plants.
Common symptoms of over fertilization include decreased growth, defoliation, wilting or
plant death in extreme cases.
 Leaching
In sandy lands, drainage ditches and other areas where large volumes of water percolate
through the land, inorganic fertilizers can leach away from the root zone of the plant.

68
 Inorganic fertilizers that leach into the land below the root systems of your plants are wasted
since they are inaccessible to your plants.
 Application
Inorganic fertilizers that are spread over the surface of the land can cause phosphorous and
potassium to build up on the surface of the land. Nutrients on the surface of the land are
unavailable to the roots of your plants until they are tilled into the land; however, disturbing
the land around established plants can damage the root systems of your plants. Fertilizers that
accumulate on the surface of the land can decrease land pH within the upper 2 to 3 inches of
the land.

Corrective actions
Land fertility is the ability of land to sustain plant growth and optimize crop land. This can be
enhanced through organic and inorganic fertilizers to the land. Nuclear techniques provide
data that enhances land fertility and crop production while minimizing the environmental
impact.

Advancing food security and environmental sustainability in farming systems requires an

integrated land fertility management approach that maximizes crop production while
minimizing the mining of land nutrient reserves and the degradation of the physical and
inorganicproperties of land that can lead to land degradation, including land erosion. Such
land fertility management practices include the use of fertilizers, organic inputs, crop rotation
with legumes and the use of improved germplasm, combined with the knowledge on how to
adapt these practices to local conditions.

The Joint FAO/IAEA Division assists Member States in developing and adopting nuclear-
based technologies for improving land fertility practices, thereby supporting the
intensification of crop production and the preservation of natural resources.

What We Can Do About It

Knowing and understanding the effects of inorganic fertilizers doesn't do us much good
without action on our part. Knowing how to protect our health is what counts.

69
  If you're on well-water have your water tested regularly by a reputable lab.
 Support organic and sustainable agriculture. Know your farm and your farmer and
understand their practices. Learn how to prioritize organic foods in your budget.
 Take part in safeguarding organic practices and standards. Visit Organic
Consumers for details.
 Learn more about organic fertilizer for your own garden.

Stay informed, get involved and make a difference in our health.

15.The Perils of Over-Fertilizing Plants and Trees

By Kit Smith UCCE El Dorado County Master Gardener Understanding the difference
between fertilizers and amendments is important in plant care. Fertilizers provide essential
nutrients to plants in form of soluble salt compounds, and directly affect plant growth. Land
amendments indirectly affect plants by improving the physical or inorganicproperties of land.
When applying fertilizer, always read and follow all label directions carefully - too much
fertilization can permanently damage trees and plants. Excess fertilizer alters the land by
creating too high of a salt concentration, and this can hurt beneficial land microorganisms.

70
 Overfertilization can lead to sudden plant growth with an insufficient root system to supply
adequate water and nutrients to the plant. Poor root structure reduces the number of flowers
and fruit production, and can result in plant growth spurts that won’t be supported or
sustained. Fertilizers also add nutrients that are essential to plants in the form of soluble salt
compounds. Soluble salts are minerals easily transported and dissolved in water, and
fertilizers must be dissolved in water for uptake by the roots of plants and trees. Too much
fertilizer can not be naturally dissolved by rainfall or irrigation water; instead evaporation
occurs more often than leaching. As such, excess soluble salts, the minerals, stay behind in
the land, and the land is altered. Too much soluble salts raise the land salinity and alter the
pH; lower pH makes nutrients less available to plants. Low pH land is acid and high pH is
alkaline. The majority of plant nutrients are most available if the land pH is neutral, between
5.5 and 7.5, and nutritionally balanced. Ornamental fruit and vegetable plants are susceptible
to salinity. Other injuries to plants and trees are caused by over-fertilization: one is iron
chlorosis. Plant roots exert force to extract water from the land, and excessive fertilization
causes roots to shrivel, making it difficult for them to absorb water. Root rot and roots being
more susceptible to disease also occur. Too many soluble salts causes leaves to wilt and
yellow, leaf margins and tips to turn brown, defoliation and slow or no growth. Too much
fertilizing also causes plant stress and weakens them, making them susceptible to diseases
and insect attacks, particularly sapfeeding insects.

Before reaching for fertilizer, test your land to see if any nutrients are lacking. It’s best to
avoid fertilizer and improve your land instead with amendments such as home-made or
purchased organic compost, vermicompost, cured manures, cover crops, decomposed leaves,
alfalfa or bone meal emulsions. If fertilizer is used, natural organic fertilizers are preferred
because they release nutrients more slowly for plant growth. Non-organic or commercial
fertilizers are concentrated, increasing the risk for plant damage and upsetting natural

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 organisms in land. Join Master Gardener Heidi Napier at this Saturday’s public education
class: Living With Oaks. Learn about California’s enduring oak trees, and how to care and
protect them on cultivated landscapes. The free July 27th class is from 9:00 a.m. to noon at
the Veterans Memorial Building, 130 Placerville Drive, Placerville, California. El Dorado
County Master Gardeners are at local farmers markets to answer your garden questions.
Additionally, Master Gardeners are available to answer questions at our office Tuesday
through Friday, 9 a.m. to noon, by calling (530) 621-5512; walk-ins are also welcome. The
office is located at 311 Fair Lane in Placerville. For more information about our public
education classes and activities, go to our Master Gardener website at
http://cecentralsierra.ucanr.org/Master_Gardeners/, and you can also check us out on
Facebook.

16.Case study

Coca-Cola in India accused of leaving farms parched and land

poisoned

In the last two weeks, the Coca-Cola company has come under scrutiny once again for selling
harmful products - this time, with high levels of benzene, a cancer causing chemical. The

72
 company's products are being investigated all across the world, including the US, UK, China
and Australia.

For the public in India, the news that Coca-Cola is once again associated with dangerous
practices hardly comes as a surprise. In India, Coca-Cola has earned the unenviable
reputation of "toxic-cola" as a result of its practices in India.

Coca-Cola's record of pollution in India is sordid, made even worse because the company
refuses to acknowledge the continued poisoning of the people, the water and the land.

The largest Coca-Cola plant in India is being accused of putting thousands of farmers out of
work by draining the water that feeds their wells, and poisoning the land with waste sludge
that the company claims is fertiliser.

The plant in the southern state of Kerala is designed to satisfy the demand for Coke in what
has become the multinational company's fastest growing market.

But its huge demand for water is causing such damage to the local economy that the village
council which had granted the company a licence to operate is now demanding the plant's
closure.

So desperate have the nearest villagers become for water since their wells dried up that Coca-
Cola sends water tankers round every morning to supply minimum needs.

he company denies the shortages have anything to do with its use of up to 1m litres of water a
day from the underground aquifer that used to keep the wells topped up.

The charity ActionAid says the crisis facing the once prosperous farming area is an example
of the worst kind of inward investment by multinational companies in developing countries.

In a report to the World Trade Organisation's meeting in Cancun, Mexico, in September the
charity says this kind of abuse must be controlled.

The report says Plachimada was a thriving agricultural community until Coca-Cola set up the
bottling plant in 1998. Coconut groves and vegetable crops have had to be abandoned
because of the lack of water.

73
 ActionAid says thousands of people worked on the land but now just 141 are employed at the
plant, with a further 250 as casual labourers. Peaceful sit-in protests have been going on for
more than four months. In a hut outside the plant a large Coca-Cola bottle is kept in a coffin.

In a report today on Radio 4's Face the Facts programme details of the contaminants in the
sludge Coca-Cola sells as fertiliser, gives away, or sometimes dumps in dry riverbeds are
revealed for the first time.

Samples taken in India and analysed by Exeter University show high levels of lead and
cadmium in the sludge.

Lead is particularly bad for children, affecting their nervous system, and cadmium is taken up
by plants, is toxic to the kidneys and liver and can cause cancer.

The report by David Santillo says: "Repeated applications of sludge, containing these sorts of
levels of cadmium and lead, to agricultural lands would undoubtedly lead to a build-up of
these toxic metals in the land, from where cadmium could then be transferred to plants _ and
therefore into the food chain.

"This contaminated sludge sample also contained a high component of phosphorus,

presumably the reason for its promotion as a fertiliser.

However, the presence of high levels of cadmium and lead in the sludge make it completely
unsuitable for use as a fertiliser."

Sunil Gupta, vice-president of Coca-Cola India, says the company has been the target of a
handful of extremist protesters and it is lack of rainfall that has caused local water supplies to
be exhausted. The company claims to use a maximum of 600,000 litres a day.

Mr Gupta also says Coca-Cola undertook an environmental impact assessment before

building the plant, but has declined to make one available.

He stood by the claim that the sludge waste from the plant was fertiliser and said the
company complied with all local environmental laws and stood for the welfare of the
community.

74
 So far attempts by the local council to shut the plant have failed. An order by the Perumatty
village council cancelling the company's licence to operate, on the grounds that the bottling
plant was over-exploiting the water resources, was overruled by the Kerala high court last
month.

Coca-Cola Offers Sludge "Fertilizer" and Beverages with

Pesticides

Groundwater isn’t the only issue. The Central Pollution Control Board of India found in 2003
that sludge from Coca-Cola’s Uttar Pradesh factory was contaminated with high levels of
cadmium, lead, and chromium.

To make matters worse, Coca-Cola was offloading cadmium-laden waste sludge as “free
fertilizer” to tribal farmers who live near the plant, prompting questions as to why they would
do that but not provide clean water to local residents whose underground supplies were being
“stolen.”

Another Indian nonprofit group, the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), says it tested
57 carbonated beverages made by Coca-Cola and Pepsi at 25 bottling plants and found a
“cocktail of between three to five different pesticides in all samples.”

CSE Director Sunita Narain, the winner of the 2005 Stockholm Water Prize, described the
group’s findings as “a grave public health scandal.

75
 Modelling impacts of inorganic fertilizer on agricultural
production: a case study on Hooghly district, West Bengal, India

In the context of changing farming practices, particularly with increasing use of inorganic
fertilizers, the present paper attempts to statistically model the implications of such input
intensification for growth of agricultural production and land and crop diversification in
Hooghly district of the Indian state of West Bengal.

Understanding the issue is very important for sustainable growth of the sector in the long-run.
The paper uses secondary data collected from the Bureau of Applied Economics and
Statistics of the Government of West Bengal for the period 1989–2010.

The paper shows that greater use of inorganic fertilizers has no strong correlation with growth
of agricultural production and land.

It is also found that agricultural production has fluctuated during this period possibly due to
improper use of N–P–K over the years exceeding the assimilative capacity of land. Further,
excessive use of inorganic fertilizers has also resulted in over extraction of ground water in
the area.

It is, therefore, suggested that efforts should be made towards deeper understanding of
inherent potentials as well as limitations of land and designing the farming strategies
accordingly.

In addition, formation of farming groups and promotion of organic farming should be

explored to facilitate sustainable growth of the sector.

Decentralized participatory planning can play a crucial role in this regard.

Modeling impact of inorganic fertilizer on agriculture

76
 Introduction

Sustainable development of a society in general and its economy in particular is contingent

upon judicious use of its natural resources (Flint 2013; Muthoo 1990). One of the greatest
challenges in contemporary development initiatives is to maintain ecological balance for the
present as well as the future generation (Ospina 2000; United Nations Sustainable
Development 2012). This is so because the decisions on development strategies often favour
achieving economic goals with less importance to the environment (Brundtland 1987;
Strange and Bayley 2008). Causing anthropogenic and ecological damage, including
injudicious use of natural resources, and lack of their proper management are evident during
the course of development in many of the countries. More specifically, over exploitation of
natural resources is a common practice in contemporary development initiatives
(Diamond 1999). Hence, the approaches to development need to be interdisciplinary and
holistic (Donaldson et al. 2005), particularly considering that environmental aspects cannot

77
 be seen in isolation of the socio-economic conditions (O’Brien et al. 2009).

The problem is more critical in India as the country supports approximately 16 percent of
world’s total human population with nearly 2.5 percent of the total geographical area
(UNEP 2001) causing considerable pressure on natural resources. Steady population growth
coupled with widespread incidence of poverty and inappropriate policies and management of
natural resources is expected to result in excessive pressure on the country’s stock of natural
resources. Such pressure is estimated to be the maximum in the world by 2020 (World
Bank 2008). Increasing emphasis on input intensive agricultural practices with high landing
variety seeds appear to be a critical problem in this regard as these seeds require large-scale
use of inorganic fertilizers and water Footnote1. Constraints to bringing in more area under
cultivation and deficiency of various macro and micro nutrients in lands have forced Indian
farmers to use more inorganic fertilizers to increase land (Planning Commission of
India 2011). This a matter of serious concern as sustained growth agricultural production and
land requires use of essential plant nutrients in right quantity, in appropriate proportion and
at right time following the right methods (Jaga and Patel 2012).
Although the ‘Green Revolution’ technologies had considerable positive impact initially,
excessive use of inorganic fertilizer in the states like Punjab and Haryana has caused
destruction of useful microorganisms, insects and worms in land. This has not only disturbed
land texture and its physicoinorganicproperties, but also caused serious damage to the sector
in respect of both quantity and quality of production. For example, growth of agriculture
sector in Punjab has stagnated since the 1990s (Kumar and Singh 2010) largely due to
improper combination of various inputs like inorganic fertilizers. There was huge demand for
foods in one hand and the farmers’ aspiration for high profit on the other. As a result, the

78
 farmers used unlimited ground water as well as excessive inorganic fertilizers and pesticides
to increase production and land. Positive effects of inorganic fertilizers on production and
land motivated the farmers further towards greater use of these inputs. The consequence of
such excessive use of chemicals beyond the limit of consumption of the plants has been
absorption of the same by the land causing secondary effects to the land itself and the plants.
As it is recognized in the literature, the harmful effects of excessive application of inorganic
fertilizers are likely to be the following:

1. 1.

Waterways and nearby water bodies can be adversely affected by use of excessive
inorganic fertilizers from inorganicrun off through rain water. As a result, the amount
of oxygen is reduced in the water leading to hypertrophication to the aquatic system.
The living organisms existing in the water use up the oxygen. Such depletion of
oxygen can cause death of majority of aquatic organisms including fish (Harrison et
al. 2002).

2. 2.

Carbon dioxide and nitrous oxide, greenhouse gases, can be released in the
atmosphere by over and repetitive application of nitrogenous fertilizer beyond the
crop’s assimilation capacity contributing to global warming and erratic climatic
conditions (Doll and Baranski 2011).

3. 3.

Acidification of land can take place due to decrease of organic matter in the land by
excessive use of inorganic fertilizers causing threats to survival of plants (Velthof et
al. 2011).

4. 4.

Application of inorganic fertilizers in imbalanced ratio consumes the indispensable

part of the nutrients in land reducing the amount of minerals and vitamins in the food
items (Das et al. 2009).

79
 During the last 50 years, there has been two remarkable landmarks relating to paradigm shift
in agriculture sector in West Bengal—(1) successful implementation of the land reforms
programmes, and (2) a very high growth rate of the population. Potentials of land reforms
towards promoting growth of the agriculture sector and simultaneous reduction of poverty
has been observed in many developing countries. Since large farms are less productive and
productivity is low in tenant farms (Bardhan and Mookherjee 2007), it was expected that
redistribution of land would increase production in the sector. Considerable increase in
agricultural lands has been marked through protection of sharecroppers against their eviction
and regulation of sharecropping contracts in West Bengal in the late 1970s (Banerjee et
al. 2002). However, growing population in the state created additional demand for foods and
hence excessive pressure on land, especially in the central alluvium plain of Bengal delta.
Thus, high population growth and implementation of land reform, were two facts that were
the basic drivers of paradigm shift (i.e., from traditional to intensive input based farming
practices) in agriculture sector of West Bengal (Fig. 1).

Fig. 1

80
 Shift mechanism in agricultural paradigm in West Bengal
Modern agricultural practices came into West Bengal in the late 1970s. While only 26 per
cent of the total agricultural area of the state used high landing varieties (HYV) technology in
1977–78, this increased to nearly 90 per cent in 1998–99 (Kar 2011). There was a rapid
acceleration in agricultural growth that resulted in food security in the state (Boyce 1987;
Saha and Swaminathan 1994). However, intensive farming practices, particularly with rice
and wheat in west Bengal, have virtually mined nutrients from the land resulting in
deficiencies in zinc, boron, manganese, and copper. Most of these areas have not been
applying organic manures with the spread of green revolution technology. To cater for the
gradual increase in food demand more and more intensive agriculture often leads to
exceeding the land’s natural capabilities (Sarkar and Chakrabarti 2007). Extraction of ground
water more than its rate of recharge in a year (Moench 2003), rampant and unwise use of
inorganic fertilizers within a short time period exceeding the land assimilative capacity are
examples of exerting pressure beyond capabilities of the natural resources. Short term
development goals are pursued at the expense of long term environmental sustainability that

81
 reinforces the hypothesis that high population growth rates can lead to increased pressure on
the environment.

In this perspective, the present study is an attempt to investigate impact of inorganic

fertilizers on growth of agricultural production and land and its implications for crop
diversification through statistical modelling in Hooghly district of the Indian state of West
Bengal during 1989–2010. The Hooghly district, being a river deposited plain land, is one of
the regions of intense agricultural practice in West Bengal. The entire district comes under
Bengal delta of the state. It is the largest fluvio-deltaic sedimentary system in Earth
(Mukherjee et al. 2009). The Central Alluvial Plain regions (covering the districts of
Murshidabad, Nadia, Bardhaman, Hooghly, Howrah and Medinipur) of the state is well-
known for its intensive agricultural practice. The Agro-Climatic Regional Planning Unit has
identified this zone as having the most potential of growth in the State. However, fluctuation
in groundwater level, and deterioration in land quality in major part of the region have been
the subject of serious attention. Efforts towards understanding impact of inorganic fertilizers
on agricultural production and its implications for crop diversification in Hooghly district can
provide useful insights in designing policies for sustainable growth in the agriculture sector.

82
 17.land turning acidic due to excessive use of inorganic fertilizers

List of treatments.

Treatment Description
s

T1 100% NPK or conventional fertilizer

T2 100% chicken manure (CM)

T3 Biofertilizer

T4 50% chicken manure + biofertilizer

T5 50% NPK + 50% chicken manure

T6 50% NPK+ biofertilizer

T7 50% NPK + 50% chicken manure + biofertilizer

T8 50% chicken manure

T9 50% NPK

T10 No fertilizer

Notes.

83
 NPK
nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium
CM
chicken manure
BF
biofertilizer

Excessive use of inorganic fertilizers by farmers is found increasing the acidity of the land in
their fields. The level of acidity in the land has increased due to the lack of organic matter. It
is said the crop land is declining every year due to the increasing land acidity and lack of
organic nutrients for the plants. Various tests carried out vindicate to this.

Out of the 593 land samples that the laboratory tested for the land fertility in the fiscal year
1997/98 to fiscal year 2002/2003, it found that 216 land samples had high acidity, 216 were
neutral and 161 were alkaline. Similarly, testes conducted for organic matter in the land
samples found that out of the total samples, 530 had very inadequate organic matter, 58 had
medium level organic matter content and only five samples had high organic matter content.
In like manner, 462 land samples had less nitrogen content, 122 had medium level nitrogen
content and only nine had high nitrogen content while tests for phosphorus content showed
that 12 samples had very less content, 118 samples had medium content and 272 samples had
high content.

Likewise, out of the 2059 land samples that the laboratory tested for the land fertility in the
fiscal year 2003/2004 to fiscal year 2017/2018 it found that 618 land samples were acidic,

84
 1351 samples were neutral and 540 samples were alkaline. Similarly, testes conducted for
organic matter content in the land samples found that out of the total samples, 1719 had very
less quantity of organic matter, 285 samples had medium level organic matter content and
only 12 samples had high organic matter content. In like manner, 537 land samples had less
nitrogen content, 490 samples had medium level nitrogen content and 892 samples had high
nitrogen content while tests for potash content showed that 836 samples had less potash
content, 937 samples had medium level of potash and 337 samples had high content. Organic
Manure and Land Laboratory Sundarpur’s officiating senior land scientist Prakash Kumar
Panta said it has become essential to make an integrated plan for restoring the land fertility
and adopting a balanced nutritional supplementation of crops.

According to him, the land fertility and productivity could be made sustainable only through
the balanced use of organic and inorganic fertilizers, but the farmers have not paid attention
tothis fact.

“Special attention should be given to the land quality, fertilizer use, irrigation, seed, improved
technology and crop protection, the factors responsible for enhancing the crop production.

Land management aspect should be given special attention to make the land fertility
sustainable while adopting the intensive crop cultivation system for meeting the food
demands of the growing population,” he suggested. Panta reiterated that organic matter
should be there in the land in adequate quantity for supplementing crops with nitrogen,
phosphorus, potash, calcium, magnesium, sulpher and micro-nutrients as iron, copper, boron,
manganese, molybdenum, and chlorine, among others.

Land scientist Panta advised farmers to apply agriculture lime in their field to reduce the land
acidity. He recommended using 80 to 90 kilogrammes of agriculture lime in every one
kaththa land to neutralize the land acidity.

“The farmers should get their land tested for acidity and use only the recommended quantity
of inorganic fertilizers while increasing the use of organic manure,” he said, while warning of
rapid decline in agricultural production if the acidity level in land increased every year in the
present rate.

18.Government schemes, subsidies and support for _________.

85
 Fertilizer Policy
Fertilizer Policy

 
        
At present, there are 30 urea units in the country out of which 27 urea units use Natural Gas
(using either domestic gas/LNG or both) and remaining three urea units use Naphtha as
feedstock. The MRP of urea is statutorily fixed by the Government of India and at present it
is Rs. 5360/- per MT (exclusive of the Central/State Taxes), which includes Rs. 180/MT as
dealer margin for private traders/PSUs & Rs. 200/MT for Co-operatives and Rs. 50/MT to
retailers for acknowledging the receipt and reporting the stock in mFMS (iFMS) as additional
incentive. An extra MRP of 5 % (of Rs. 5360/- per MT) is charged by fertilizer
manufacturing entities on Neem Coated Urea. The difference between the delivered cost of
fertilizers at farm gate and MRP payable by the farmer is given as subsidy to the fertilizer
manufacturer/importer by the Government of India.
 
        
The following policies regarding subsidy payment to urea units were in place since 2003:
                    i.         
New Pricing Scheme (NPS) - I for the period from 01.04.2003 to 31.03.2004.
                   ii.         
NPS – II for the period from 01.04.2004 to 31.09.2006.
                  iii.         
NPS – III for the period from 01.10.2006 to 01.04.2014.
                  iv.         
Modified NPS – III for the period from 02.04.2014 to 31.05.2015
 
        
The current policies by which subsidy is being paid to urea units are as under:
                v.            
NPS-III and Modified NPS – III regarding compensation of fixed cost and variable cost e.g.
the cost of bag, water charges & electricity charges to continue till further orders.

86
                vi.            
New Urea Policy – 2015 for the period 01.06.2015 to 31.03.2019 (Applicable for 25 gas
based urea units).
              vii.            
Notification dated 17th June, 2015 – Applicable for Madras Fertilizers Limited- Manali
Southern Petrochemicals Industries Corporation (SPIC) - Tuticorin and Mangalore Chemicals
& Fertilizers Limited (MCFL).
 
New Urea Policy (Applicable for 25 gas based urea units)
 
        
The New Urea Policy-2015 (NUP-2015) has been notified by Department of Fertilizers on
25th May, 2015, effective from 1st June, 2015 upto 31st March, 2019, with the objective of
maximizing indigenous urea production, promoting energy efficiency in urea production and
rationalizing subsidy burden on the government.
 
        
As per NUP – 2015, the preset energy norms for the 25 gas based urea units fixed during
earlier policies have been mopped up and they are eligible to get the concession rate on the
basis of revised energy norms fixed for each group from 1st June, 2015 to 31 St March, 2018
which would be the simple average of pre-set energy norms of NPS-III and average actual
energy consumption achieved during the years 2011-12, 2012-13 and 2013-14 or the pre-set
set energy norms of NPS-III, whichever is lower.
 
        
The urea units have been given target energy consumption norms to be achieved in the year
2018-19. For Group-I, target energy norms for the year 2018-19 is 5.5 G Cal/MT (except
Tata Chemicals Limited-Babrala for which existing pre-set energy consumption norm of
NPS-III i.e. 5.417 G Cal/MT will continue).  For Group-II and Group-III, the target energy
consumption norms for the year 2018-19 have been 6.2 G Cal/MT and 6.5 G Cal/MT
respectively.
 
        

87
 For production upto 100% re-assessed capacity (RAC), the 25 gas based urea units are
entitled to get total cost of production of urea, which includes fixed cost and variable cost.
 
        
For production beyond RAC, the units are entitled for their respective variable cost and a
uniform per MT incentive equal to the lowest of the per MT fixed costs of all the indigenous
urea units subject to import parity price plus weighted average of other incidental charges
which the government incurs on the imported urea.  However, vide notification dated
7th April, 2017, a further amendment was incorporated for production of urea beyond RAC
during 2016-17 such that units were entitled beyond their respective variable cost and a
uniform per MT incentive equal to the lowest of the per MT fixed cost of all indigenous urea
units subject to sum of import parity price, other incidental charges which the Government
incurs on the import of urea and weighted average of Central Government levies of urea paid
by the urea manufacturing units. Vide said amendment, it has been decided that in event of
any fluctuation in Import Parity Price that would have adverse impact on the production
beyond RAC by urea units, Department of Fertilizers is authorized to take appropriate
decision in consultation with Department of Expenditure.
 
        
The compensation for other variable cost e.g. the cost of bag, water charges & electricity
charges and fixed cost are determined in accordance with existing provisions of NPS-III and
Modified NPS-III.
 
        
Five units namely MFL-Manali, MCFL-Mangalore, SPIC-Tuticorn, BVFCL-Namrup-II and
BVFCL-Namrup-III are not covered under this scheme because these units are not connected
to gas pipeline network in the country.  As per NUP – 2015, Namrup-II and Namrup-III units
of BVFCL are proposed to be closed and a new high efficiency unit will be installed, which
will be dealt separately under their restructuring proposal. Till then, these two units will
function under the provisions of Modified NPS-III.
 
 
For Naphtha based urea units

88
           
The three Naphtha based urea units viz., Madras Fertilizers Limited- Manali (CPSU),
Southern Petrochemicals Industries Corporation (SPIC) - Tuticorin and Mangalore Chemicals
& Fertilizers Limited (MCFL) are governed by Policy Notification dated 17 th June, 2015,
which allows these units to operate urea production using Naphtha as feedstock till gas
availability and connectivity to these three units either by gas pipeline or by any other means
The Naphtha based urea units are entitled to get subsidy as per the following conditions:
(i)       These units will be eligible for subsidy on the basis of the revised energy norms
from the date of notification, which would be the simple average of pre-set
energy norms of New Pricing Scheme (NPS) – III and lowest yearly specific
energy consumption achieved during the years 2011-12, 2012-13 and 2013-14 or
the pre-set energy norms of NPS – III, whichever is lower.

(ii)      The concession rate for these plants will be determined notionally on the basis of
weighted average of the delivered cost of RLNG to recently converted plants after
deducting state taxes (VAT, Entry tax) on RLNG or the cost of production of urea
from Naphtha/FO after deducting state taxes levied on Naphtha/FO consumed for
urea production (VAT, Entry tax) on Naphtha/FO, whichever is lower.

(iii)     The compensation for other variable cost e.g. the cost of bag, water charges &
electricity charges and fixed cost will be determined in accordance with existing
provisions of NPS – III and Modified NPS – III.

 
New Investment Policy – 2012
 
        
The Government has notified New Investment Policy – 2012 on 2 nd January, 2013 with the
main objectives to facilitate fresh investment, make India self and reduce import dependency
in urea sector. The salient features of NIP – 2012 are as follows:-
 
                      i.       
The policy supports gas based plants only.
                     ii.       

89
 It has structure of a flexible floor and ceiling price calculated at delivered price of gas from
US $6.5 to US $ 14/mmbtu.
                    iii.       
The floor price has been determined at a Return on Equity (RoE) of 12% and the ceiling price
at a RoE of 20%.
                    iv.       
For Greenfield/Revival and Brownfield Projects, the floor and ceiling shall increase in
tandem with increase in delivered gas price i.e. every USD 0.1/mmbtu increase in delivered
gas price will increase the floor and ceiling by USD 2/MT upto delivered gas price of USD
14/mmbtu.
                     v.       
Beyond delivered gas price of USD 14/mmbtu, only floor will be increased.
                    vi.       
For Revamp Projects, floor and ceiling have been linked to delivered gas price of USD
7.5/mmbtu and floor and ceiling shall increase by USD 2.2/MT for every increase in
delivered gas price of 0.1/mmbtu.
                   vii.       
It supports revival of closed units.
                  viii.       
It encourages investment by Indian industry in Joint Venture abroad in resource rich
countries
                    ix.       
The policy incentivizes units to produce urea in granulated or coated/fortified form to
improve the efficiency in the use of Urea with additional amount of USD 10/MT allowed in
floor and ceiling prices.
                     x.       
For units in North Eastern states, the special dispensation regarding gas price that is being
extended by GOI/State governments will be available to any new investment. Suitable
adjustments will be made to applicable floor and ceiling price in case the delivered price
(after allowing for special dispensation) falls below USD 6.5 per mmbtu, subject to approval
of Ministry of Finance.
 
Amendment in NIP-2012
 

90
         
Vide notification dated 7th October, 2014, the following amendments were made in the New
Investment Policy–2012 (NIP-2012):-
(i)           Para 8.1 of NIP-2012   is replaced as follows:
‘Only those units whose production starts within five years from the date of
this amendment notification will be covered under the policy.  Subsidy will be
given only upon domestic sale as at present for a period of 8 years from the
date of start of production. Thereafter, the units will be governed by the urea
policy prevalent at that time.’
(ii)         To ensure seriousness/credibility of the project proponents under NIP-2012
and for timely execution of the projects, all the project proponents will be
required to furnish Bank Guarantee (BG) of Rs. 300 crores for each project.
The BG will be linked to milestones in the project cycle. Out of Rs. 300
crores, Rs. 100 crores of BG will be released after finalization of LSTK/
EPCA contractors and release of advance to the contractor’s account; Rs. 100
crores of BG will be released on completion of equipment ordering and supply
to the site or midpoint of the project cycle, whichever is earlier; and the
balance of Rs. 100 crores of BG on completion of the project.  PSUs are,
however, exempted from furnishing the BG.
(iii)        A Committee of Secretaries comprising Secretary (Fertilizers), Secretary
(Department of Expenditure), Secretary (MoPN&G), Secretary (Planning
Commission) and Secretary (Agriculture) with Secretary (Fertilizers) as
Chairman is constituted to take decisions on various issues which will arise
during the implementation of NIP-2012.
Uniform Freight Policy
        
DOF announced the uniform freight policy (UFP) with effect from April 1, 2008 vide
notification dated July 17, 2008 with an objective to ensure the availability of fertilizers in all
parts of the country, especially distant/remote corners of the country. The freight subsidy is
paid to the urea units for the transportation of urea from Plant/Port to the Block/District.
        
The slab-wise rates in respect of primary road movement for the year 2008-09 and
escalated/de-escalated upto financial year 2015-16 have been notified by Department of
Fertilizers.

91
         
Department of Fertilizers had also notified the Per Tonne Per kilometre (PTPK) rates upto
financial year 2015-16 for road transportation in the case of secondary movement of
fertilizers from unloading rake point to retail point. 
 

Fertilizer Subsidy Policy for Phosphatic & Potassic (P&K) Fertilizers:

1          Historical Background:

1.1       Since independence, Government of India has been regulating sale, price and quality
of fertilizers. For this purpose, Government of India has passed Fertilizer Control Order
(FCO) under Essential commodity Act (EC Act) in the year 1957.  In order to regulate the
distribution of fertilizer, Movement Control Order was passed in 1973. No subsidy was paid
on Fertilizers till 1977 except Potash for which subsidy was paid only for a year in 1977.
1.2       On the recommendation of the Maratha Committee, the Government had introduced
Retention Price Scheme (RPS) for nitrogenous fertilizers in November 1977.  Subsequently,
RPS was extended to phosphatic and other complex fertilizers from February 1979 and to
Single Super Phosphate from May 1982, which continued up to 1991.  Later on, subsidy was
also extended to imported phosphatic and potassic (P&K) fertilizers.
            In early 1990s, the country was facing mounting fiscal deficit and there was an
impending danger of foreign exchange crisis. In order to contain the subsidy burden,
Government announced an increase of 40% in the price of fertilizers in July, 1991. Some of
the fertilizers which were under the subsidy scheme were decontrolled. Subsequently,
apprehending low consumption of fertilizer due to increase in prices and consequently, low
agriculture productivity, Government rolled back 10% of increase in Urea price.
1.3       In December 1991, Government set up a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) on
Fertilizer Pricing to review the existing methods of computation of retention prices for
different manufactures of fertilizers and to suggest measures for reducing fertilizers prices
without straining the exchequer. JPC submitted its report on 20th August 1992.  The main
conclusions and recommendations of the Committee were that the rise in subsidy was mainly
due to increase in the cost of imported fertilizers, de-valuation of rupee in July 1991 and the
stagnant farm gate prices from 1980 to 1991. The Committee did not favour total
decontrolled of fertilizers but recommended decontrol of import based phosphatic and
Potassic fertilizers along with a marginal 10% reduction in the consumer price of Urea.

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2          Concession Scheme for P&K Fertilizers:

2.1       Based on the recommendations of Joint Parliamentary Committee, Government of
India decontrolled all Phosphatic and Potassic (P&K) fertilizers namely DAP, MOP, NPK
complex fertilizers and SSP with effect from 25th August 1992 which were under Retention
Price Scheme (RPS) since 1977 except Urea which continued to remain under RPS. Since
subsidy was retained on the Nitrogenous fertilizers (Urea) while phosphatic fertilizers were
decontrolled, the prices of phosphatic fertilizers in the market became comparatively high. 
As a result, production and consumption of nitrogenous fertilizers increased and consumption
of P&K fertilizers decreased. This led to severe imbalance in consumption of nitrogenous,
phosphatic and Potassic fertilizers.  Fearing imbalance fertilization of the land, un
affordability by farmers due to increase in phosphatic and potassic fertilizer prices,
Government  of India announced ad hoc Concession Scheme for phosphatic and potassic
fertilizers from Rabi 1992 to cushion the impact of price hike with a view to encourage
balanced fertilizer consumption.

93
 2.2       The basic purpose/objective of the Concession Scheme for P&K fertilizers has been to
provide P&K fertilizers to the farmers at affordable prices so as to increase the food
productivity in the country through balanced use of fertilizers.  The concession scheme was
also aimed at ensuring reasonable rate of return on the investments made by the entrepreneurs
in the fertilizer sector.
2.3       Initially, the ad-hoc Concession Scheme was applicable on DAP, MOP, NPK
Complex fertilizers. This scheme was also extended to SSP from 1993-94. Concession was
disbursed to the manufacturers/importers by the State Governments during 1992-93 and
1993-94 based on the grants provided by Department of Agriculture & Cooperation(DAC).
2.4       During 1997-98, Department of Agriculture & Cooperation also started indicating an
all India uniform Maximum Retail Price (MRP) for DAP/NPK/MOP. The responsibility of
indicating MRP in respect of SSP rested with the State Governments. The Special Freight
Subsidy Reimbursement Scheme was also introduced in 1997 for supply of fertilizers in the
difficult areas of J&K and North-eastern States, which continued upto 31.3.2008.  The total
delivered cost of fertilizers being invariably higher than the MRP indicated by the
Government, the difference in the delivered price of fertilizers at the farm gate and the MRP
was compensated by the Government as subsidy to the manufacturers/importers.
2.5       Till 30th September 2000, the issues relating to fertilizer subsidy was being looked
after by DAC and thereafter it was continued by Department of Fertilizers with changed
parameters from time to time.  The MRP of P&K fertilizers were revised on 28.2.2002, which
continued upto  31.3.2010 in case of DAP and MOP.  However, in case of complex
fertilizers, the MRP was revised on  18.6.2008. 
2.6       The MRP of SSP, which was used to be declared by the respective State Governments
up to 30th April, 2008, was announced by DOF at Rs. 3400/MT uniformly all over the
country. w.e.f.1.5.2008 to 30.9.2009 and subsidy on SSP was decided by DOF on monthly
basis based the report of Cost Account Brach.  MRP of SSP was left open w.e.f. 1.10.2009 to
30.4.2010 and a fixed of Rs. 2000 PMT was paid on SSP as subsidy.
 

3          Computation of Subsidy on P&K fertilizers under Concession Scheme:

3.1       The computation of subsidy on P&K fertilizers was based on Cost Price Study on
DAP and MOP conducted by Bureau of Industrial Costs and Prices (BICP) now called Tariff
Commission (TC).   The subsidy rates were decided on the cost plus approach on quarterly
basis w.e.f. 1.4.1999.   The total delivered cost of the fertilizers being invariably higher than

94
 MRP indicated by the Government, the difference between delivered price of fertilizers at
farm gate level and the MRP was compensated by Government in the form of subsidy.
3.2       The Government introduced a new methodology for working out subsidy on complex
fertilizers w.e.f. 1.4.2002 based on the recommendation of TC. The complex manufacturers
were divided into two groups based on feed stock for sourcing nitrogen i.e. Gas and
Naphtha.    With passage of time, DAP industry started using different raw materials such as
Rock Phosphate for producing phosphoric acid.  DOF framed a proposal suggesting
methodology to link phosphoric acid price with international DAP price.  The matter was
referred to Expert Group under chairmanship of Prof. Abhijit Sen. The report of this Group
was submitted in October 2005 and considered by Inter-Ministerial group.  TC conducted
fresh cost price study of DAP/MOP and NPK complexes and submitted its report in
December 2007. Based on this TC report, the subsidy was calculated on monthly basis till
31.3.2010.
 

4          MRP of P&K fertilizers under Concession Scheme:

The MRP was fixed by the Government with effect from 1.4.1997 and the details of MRP
fixed by the Government from 1997 to 31.3.2010 are mentioned in the table below:
 

Maximum Retail Price (MRP) of P&K fertilizers (in Rs. per Metric Tonne)

1.4.97 29.2.00 28.2.02 28.2.03
# Grades of Fertilizers 28.2.00 27.2.02 27.2.03 11.3.03
1 DAP : 18-46-0-0 8300 8900 9350 9550
2 MAP : 11-52-0-0  NA NA   NA NA 
3 TSP : 0-46-0-0  NA NA   NA NA 
4 MOP : 0-0-60-0 3700 4255 4455 4455
5 16-20-0-13 6400 6740 7100 7300
6 20–20–0-13  NA NA   NA NA 
7 23–23–0-0  NA NA   NA NA 
8 10–26–26-0 7300 7880 8360 8560
9 12–32–16-0 7400 7960 8480 8680
10 14–28–14-0 7300 7820 8300 8500
11 14–35–14-0 7500 8100 8660 8860
12 15–15–15-0 6000 6620 6980 7180
13 AS: 20.3-0-0-23  NA NA   NA NA 

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 Maximum Retail Price (MRP) of P&K fertilizers (in Rs. per Metric Tonne)
14 20-20-0-0 6500 6880 7280 7480
15 28–28–0-0 8000 8520 9080 9280
16 17–17–17-0 7200 7680 8100 8300
17 19–19–19-0 7300 7840 8300 8500
MRP was fixed by respective State Governments up-to April
2008.
18 SSP(0-16-0-11) W.e.f. 1.5.2008 to 30.9.09 all India MRP of Rs. 3400 PMT
Fixed by Govt. W.e.f.   1.10.2009 to April 2010, MRP was
Open fixed by SSP units.
 
 

5          Impact of Concession Scheme:

5.1       The MRP of P&K fertilizers were much lower than its delivered cost.  This led to
increase in consumption of fertilizers during the last three decades and consequently increase
in food grain production within the country.  However, it was observed in last few years that
the marginal response of agricultural productivity to additional fertilizer usage in the country
had fallen sharply, leading to near stagnation in agricultural productivity and consequently
agricultural production. The disproportionate NPK application, rising multi-nutrient
deficiency and lack of application of organic manures leading to reduction in carbon content
of the land, was attributed to the stagnating agricultural productivity. The fertilizer sector
worked in a highly regulated environment with cost of production and selling prices being
determined by the Government of India. Due to this fertilizer industry suffered from low
profitability as compared to other sectors. The growth of fertilizer industry was stagnated
with virtually no investments for the past 11 years in urea sector and for over eight years in
P&K sector. The fertilizer industry had no incentive to invest on modernization and for
increasing efficiency.  The innovation in fertilizer sector also suffered as very few products
were introduced by fertilizer companies, since they get out priced by subsidized fertilizers.
The industry had no incentive to focus on farmers leading to poor farm extension services,
which were necessary to educate farmers about the modern fertilizer application techniques,
land health and promote land test based application of land and crop specific fertilizers. 
5.2       The subsidy outgo of Government also increased exponentially by 500% during the
past five years (2005-06 to 2009-10) under the Concession Scheme with about 94% of the

96
 increase caused by increase in international prices of fertilizers and fertilizer inputs, and only
6% attributable to increase in consumption. 
5.3       It was, thus, observed that over the last few years the product based subsidy regime
(erstwhile concession scheme) had been proving to be a losing proposition for all the stake
holders viz farmers, industry and the Government. Accordingly, considering all the issues
relating to agriculture productivity, balanced fertilization and growth of indigenous fertilizer
industry, competitiveness amongst the fertilizer companies and to overcome the deficiency of
concession scheme, the Government introduced Nutrient Based Subsidy (NBS) Policy for
P&K fertilizers w.e.f. 1.4.2010.  

6          Nutrient Based Subsidy (NBS) Policy (w.e.f. 1.4.2010):

6.1       The Department is implementing NBS Policy for P&K fertilizers w.e.f. 1.4.2010.
Under the NBS Policy, a fixed rate of subsidy (in Rs. per Kg basis) is announced on nutrients
namely Nitrogen (N), Phosphate (P), Potash (K) and Sulphur (S) by the Government on
annual basis.   The salient features of NBS Policy are as under:
 An Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC) has been constituted with Secretary
(Fertilizers) as Chairperson and Joint Secretary level representatives of Department of
Agriculture & Cooperation (DAC), Department of Expenditure (DOE), Planning
Commission and Department of Agricultural Research and Education (DARE).  This
Committee recommends per nutrient subsidy for ‘N’, ‘P’, ‘K’ and ‘S’ before the start of the
financial year for decision by the Government (Department of Fertilizers). The IMC
recommends a per tonne additional subsidy on fortified subsidized fertilizers carrying
secondary (other than ‘S’) and micro- nutrients. The Committee also recommends inclusion
of new fertilizers under the subsidy regime based on application of manufacturers/ importers
and its need appraisal by the Indian Council for Agricultural Research (ICAR), for decision
by the Government. 
 The per Kg subsidy rates on the nutrient N, P, K, S is converted into per Tonne
subsidy on the various P&K fertilizers covered under NBS Policy.
 Any variant of the fertilizers covered under the subsidy scheme with micronutrients
namely Boron and Zinc, is eligible for a separate per tonne subsidy to encourage their
application along with primary nutrients. At present 22 grades of P&K fertilizers namely
DAP, MAP, TSP, MOP, Ammonium Sulphate, SSP and 16 grades of NPKS complex
fertilizers are covered under the NBS Policy. Under the NBS regime, MRP of P&K

97
 fertilizers has been left open and fertilizer manufacturers/marketers are allowed to fix the
MRP at reasonable rates.
 MRP of P&K fertilizers has been left open and fertilizer manufacturers/marketers are
allowed to fix the MRP at reasonable rates. In effect, the domestic prices are determined by
demand supply mechanism. 
 The distribution and movement of fertilizers along with import of finished fertilizers,
fertilizer inputs and production by indigenous units is monitored through the online web
based “Fertilizer Monitoring System (FMS)” as was being done under the Concession
Scheme for P&K fertilizers.
 20% of the decontrolled fertilizers produced/imported in India has been placed in the
movement control under the Essential Commodities Act 1955 (ECA). Department of
Fertilizers regulates the movement of these fertilizers to bridge the supplies in underserve
areas.In addition to NBS, freight for the movement and distribution of the decontrolled
fertilizers by rail and road is being provided to enable wider availability of fertilizers even in
the remotest places in the country.   
 Import of all the subsidized P&K fertilizers, including complex fertilizers has been
placed under Open General License (OGL). NBS is available for imported complex
fertilizers also except Ammonium Sulphate. However, in case of Ammonium Sulphate (AS)
the NBS is applicable only to domestic production by M/s FACT. 
 Though the market price of subsidized fertilizers, except Urea, is determined based on
demand-supply dynamics, the fertilizer companies are required to print Retail Price (RP)
along with applicable subsidy on the fertilizer bags clearly. Any sale above the printed MRP
is punishable under the EC Act. 
 Manufacturers of customized fertilizers and mixture fertilizers have been permitted to
source subsidized fertilizers from the manufacturers/ importers after their receipt in the
districts as inputs for manufacturing customized fertilizers and mixture fertilizers for
agricultural purpose. However, no separate subsidy is provided on sale of customized
fertilizers and mixture fertilizers.
 A separate additional subsidy is also provided to the indigenous manufacturers
producing complex fertilizers using Naphtha based captive Ammonia to compensate for the
higher cost of production of ‘N’ for a maximum period of two years w.e.f. 1.4.2010 to
31.3.2012 during which the units are required to convert to gas or use imported Ammonia as
feedstock.  The quantum of additional subsidy is finalized by Department of Fertilizers in

98
 consultation with DOE, based on study and recommendations by the Tariff
Commission.The NBS is passed on to the farmers through the fertilizer industry. The
payment of NBS to the manufacturers/importers of P&K fertilizers is released as per the
procedure notified by the Department.
6.2       The per kg NBS rate and per Metric Tonne subsidy on different grade of P&K
fertilizers announced by the Government during the year 2010-11 to 2014-15 is as under:

Per Kg NBS rates for nutrients NPKS for the 2010-11 to  2014-15 (in Rs. per Kg)
Nutrients 1st  Apr - 31st  1st  Jan- 2011-12 2012-13
Dec 2010 * 31st  Mar
2011**
‘N’ 23.227 23.227 27.153 24.000
(Nitrogen)
‘P’ 26.276 25.624 32.338 21.804
(Phosphate)
‘K’ (Potash) 24.487 23.987 26.756 24.000
‘S’ (Sulphur) 1.784 1.784 1.677 1.677
*Including Rs. 300/- per MT for secondary freight from rake point to retail points.
** Excluding the secondary freight of Rs. 300/- PMT, which was being paid separately on
per ton per Km basis.

 
Per MT subsidy on different grade of P&K fertilizers during the year 2010-11 to 2014-15
(in Rs. PMT)
Fertilizer      
Sl. No. Grades(FG) 2011-12 2012-13 2013-14 2014-15
(N P K S nutrient)  
1.   DAP     (18-46-0-0) 19763 14350 12350 12350

MAP     (11-52-0- 13978 12009 12009

2.    19803
0)
3.    TSP      (0-46-0-0) 14875 10030 8592 8592

4.    MOP     (0-0-60-0) 16054 14400 11300 9300

5.    SSP      (0-16-0-11) 5359 3676 3173 3173

6.    16-20-0-13 11030 8419 7294 7294

99
  
Per MT subsidy on different grade of P&K fertilizers during the year 2010-11 to 2014-15
(in Rs. PMT)
7.    20-20-0-13 12116 9379 8129 8129

8.    20-20-0-0 11898 9161 7911 7911

9.    28-28-0-0 16657 12825 11075 11075

10.    10-26-26-0 18080 14309 11841 10974

11.    12-32-16-0 17887 13697 11496 10962

12.    14-28-14-0 16602 12825 10789 10323

13.    14-35-14-0 18866 14351 12097 11630

14.    15-15-15-0 12937 10471 8758 8258

15.    17-17-17-0 14662 11867 9926 9359

16.    19-19-19-0 16387 13263 11094 10460

Ammonium 4686 4686

5330
17.    Sulphate 5979
 
 (20.6-0-0-23)
16-16-16-0 (w.e.f. 11169 9342 8809
18.    13800
1.7.2010)
15-15-15-9
19.    13088 10622 8909 8409
 (w.e.f. 1.10.2010)
24-24-0-0 (from
1.10.10 to 29.5.12
20.    14278 10993 9493 9493
and w.e.f.
22.6.2012)
DAP Lite(16-44-0-
21.    18573 13434 11559 11559
0) (w.e.f. 1.2.11)
24-24-0-8 (wef
12.11.13 to
22.    NA NA 9493 9493
14.2.15) without
subsidy on S
23.    23-23-0-0 13686 10535 NA NA

100
  
Per MT subsidy on different grade of P&K fertilizers during the year 2010-11 to 2014-15
(in Rs. PMT)
(upto22.6.2012)
DAP 4S (w.e.f.
25.2.13 to 7.11.13)
24.    NA 14350 12350 NA
without subsidy on
S 
DAP Lite-II(14-46-
0-0)
25.    18677 13390 NA NA
(w.e.f. 30.8.2011 to
29.8.2012)
MAP Lite (11-44-
0-0)
26.    17276 12234 NA NA
(w.e.f. 30.8.2011 to
29.8.2012)
13-33-0-6
27.    (w.e.f. 30.8.2011 to 14302 10416 NA NA
29.8.2012)
 
NA means not covered under Subsidy regime.
 

6.3 Additional compensation to Naphtha based NPK complex fertilizer manufacturing

units: 
Under the NBS Policy, a separate additional subsidy is also provided to the indigenous
manufacturers such as M/s FACT, M/s MFL and M/s GNVFC producing complex fertilizers
using Naphtha based captive Ammonia to compensate for the higher cost of production of
‘N’ for a maximum period of two years (upto 31.3.2012) during which the units are required
to convert to gas or use imported Ammonia as feedstock. The quantum of additional subsidy
will be finalized by Department of Fertilizers in consultation with DOE, based on study and
recommendations by the Tariff Commission. The above said additional compensation has
been extended beyond 31.3.2012 to 4.10.2013 for M/s FACT only and the proposal of
extension of additional compensation beyond 31.3.2012 for M/s MFL & GNFVC is under
consideration in the Department. Pending finalization of Tariff Commission’s Report, the

101
 Department has announced ad hoc rate of additional compensation to M/s FACT, M/s
GNVFC & M/s MFL as under
 

Companies Fertilizer Amount of ad hoc additional compensation (Provisional)

Products (in Rs. Per MT)
Earlier (ref. Revised on 29.4.2011 (w.e.f. 1.4.2010)
circular
dated
22.10.2010 
FACT, Cochin 20-20-0-13S 2331 3121
Amm. Sulphate  2792 3658
(20.6-0-023)
MFL, Manali 20-20-0-13S 4784 5434
17-17-17-0 4079 4640
GNVFC, 20-20-0-0 1914 2534
Bharuch
 
 

6.4       Prices (MRP) of P&K fertilizers under NBS regime: 

Our country is fully dependent on imports in Potassic sector and to the extent of 90% in
Phosphatic sector in the form of either finished products or its raw material. Subsidy being
fixed, any fluctuation in international prices has effect on the domestic prices of P&K
fertilizers.
 
            A Statement showing MRP of P&K fertilizers during the year 2010-11 to 2013-14 is
at Annexure-I.
 

6.5       Reasonableness of MRP:

  Under NBS policy companies are allowed to fix the MRP on their own. The intention
behind introduction of NBS was to increase competition among the fertilizer companies to
facilitate availability of diversified products in the market at reasonable prices. However, the
prices of P&K fertilizers have gone up substantially and doubts have been raised about
reasonableness of the prices fixed by the companies. The prices have gone up substantially on

102
 the account of increase in prices of raw materials / finished fertilizers in international market,
depreciation of Indian rupee w.r.t US Dollar and also due perhaps to larger profit margins by
the companies. This has lead to lot of hue and cry from the various quarters and has also lead
to imbalance in use of fertilizers. Accordingly, in order to check the prices fixed by P&K
companies, the Government vide notification dated 8.7.2011 directed the fertilizer companies
to fix the prices of P&K fertilizers at reasonable level under the NBS regime. 
 
6.5.1    In order to ensure reasonableness of prices fixed by fertilizer companies, while
announcing the NBS Policy and rates for the year 2013-14, the following clauses have been
incorporated in NBS Policy applicable with effect from 1.4.2012:
(i)            It shall be mandatory for all the fertilizer companies to submit, along with their
claims of subsidy, certified cost data in the prescribed format and as per the requirement for
the purpose of monitoring of MRPs of P&K fertilizers fixed by the fertilizer companies.
(ii)           In cases, where after scrutiny, unreasonableness of MRP is established or where
there is no correlation between the cost of production or acquisition and the MRP printed on
the bags, the subsidy may be restricted or denied even if the product is otherwise eligible for
subsidy under NBS. In proven case of abuse of subsidy mechanism, DOF, on the
recommendation of IMC may exclude any grade/grades of fertilizers of a particular company
or the fertilizer company itself from the NBS scheme.
(iii)          The reasonableness of MRP will be determined with reference to the MRP printed
on the bags.
(iv)         The companies shall continue to submit the certified cost data as per the requirement
and direction of DOF from time to time.  The companies shall also report MRPs of P&K
fertilizers regularly to DOF.
(v)          The P&K companies should have the same MRP printed on the bags as applicable
for each State in FMS. In other words, there should not be any difference in MRP printed on
the fertilizer bags and that reported in the FMS for a particular state.
(vi)         The fertilizer companies henceforth will certify the correctness of MRPs of their
products entered in FMS while claiming ‘On Account’ claims for a particular month and also
ensure that the MRPs are updated in the FMS upto the date of submission of bill.
 

6.6       Monitoring of MPR of P&K fertilizers:

103
 In order to monitor the prices of P&K fertilizers fixed by fertilizer companies, they have been
asked to submit cost data of the P&K fertilizers under NBS scheme from 2012-13 onwards
on six monthly basis.  In order to collect actual farm gate prices of P&K fertilizers, the
Department is evolving a mechanism in consultation with Department of Consumer Affairs
and other concerned Organizations.
 

6.7       Freight subsidy Policy in respect of P&K fertilizers under NBS regime:
(a.)        The freight subsidy for distribution/movement of subsidized P&K fertilizers (except
SSP) under the NBS Policy w.e.f. 1.4.2010 to 31.12.2010 was restricted to the rail freight,
whereas the secondary freight (from rake point to districts) was assumed to be part of the
fixed subsidy.  Freight reimbursement on account of direct road movement was made payable
as per the actual claim subject to the equivalent rail freight upto a maximum of 500 Kms.
(b.)        W.e.f. 1.1.2011 to 31.3.2012, freight on account of Primary Movement (by rail from
the plant or the port to various rake points) and Secondary Movement (by road from nearest
rake points to the block headquarters in the Districts) of all P&K fertilizers (except SSP) was
reimbursed as per the Uniform Freight Subsidy policy applicable to urea during the period.
Freight subsidy for Direct Road Movement (by road from plant or port to blocks) of all P&K
fertilizers (except SSP) was reimbursed as per actual claim subject to the equivalent rail
freight upto a maximum of 500 Kms.  The rates for reimbursement of freight for direct road
movement from 1.4.2010 to 31.3.2012 were as under:

Movement(K.M. Rates Rs. per MT
)
Upto 100 108
101-200 183
201-300 256
301-400 327
401-500 400
 
(c.)        W.e.f. 1.4.2012, freight subsidy for P&K fertilizers is as under:
(i)      Freight on account of Primary Movement of all P&K fertilizers (except SSP) is
reimbursed on the basis of actual rail freight, as per the railway receipts.
(ii)      No reimbursement on account of Secondary Movement of all P&K fertilizers
(including SSP), is provided.

104
 (iii)     Freight subsidy for Direct Road Movement of all P&K fertilizes (excluding SSP) is
reimbursed as per the actual claims subject to equivalent rail freight to be announced by DOF
time to time.  However, the maximum allowable distance under the direct road movement
shall be 500 KMs.
(iv)    Special compensation on account of Secondary movement for all P&K fertilizers
(except SSP) is provided for difficult areas namely Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim,
J&K, 7 North Eastern states and A&N Islands.
 

6.8       Procedure for Payment of subsidy under NBS:

(a.)        P&K Fertilizers except SSP:  85% (90% with Bank Guarantee) of the subsidy
claims of fertilizer companies is paid as ‘on account’ payment on receipt of fertilizers in the
district on certification by the Company’s Statutory Auditor. The balance 15-10% is released
on State government’s certification of quantity in m-FMS and fertilizer receipt confirmation
by retail dealers through mobile Fertilizer Monitoring System (m-FMS).
(b.)       SSP:   85% (90% with Bank Guarantee) of the claim of subsidy is paid as ‘on
account’ payment on 1st point sale of fertilizers in the districts on certification by the
Company’s Statutory Auditor. The balance 10-15% claim is released subject to State
Government’s certification on quantity and quality in m-FMS as well as fertilizer receipt
confirmation by retail dealers through m-FMS.
 

7.         Concession Scheme/Nutrient Based Subsidy for SSP :

After decontrol of P&K fertilizers, Concession Scheme for SSP was introduced w.e.f. 1993-
94, which continued on ad-hoc basis for concession upto 30.4.2008. After the transfer of the
administration of the Concession Scheme from Department of Agriculture & Cooperation to
DOF w.e.f. October 2000, DOF revised the guidelines. Accordingly, a Technical Audit and
Inspection Cell (TAC) under the aegis of PDIL was constituted vide guidelines dated
17.5.2001. The SSP manufacturers were required to use only those grades of Rock
Phosphate, which has been notified by DOF from time to time, for claiming payment of
concession. All the new SSP manufacturing units were required to undergo first time
technical inspection of the units to ascertain their technical competence to manufacture SSP
of the standards laid down under the FCO. Subsequently, the units were also required to
undergo six monthly inspection to ascertain as to whether the units are working as per the
tenets of the Concession Scheme.

105
 The units were allowed to claim 85% 'On Account' payment of concession to be settled
subsequently by DOF based on the certification of sales issued by the State Governments in
prescribed Proforma 'B'. This practice has also been allowed to continue till date though the
other policy parameters for SSP have been changed from time to time.
The Government vide notification dated 25.8.2008 revised the Concession Scheme for SSP
w.e.f. 1.5.2008, which continued upto 30.9.2009. As per this policy, Department of Fertilizers
announced All India MRP at Rs. 3400 PMT in place of the earlier system of indicating MRP
by each State. As per the policy-dated 25.8.2008, the concession rates were announced
month-wise separately for SSP based on the imported Rock Phosphate and that based on
indigenous Rock Phosphate. The Concession was escalated/ de-escalated based on the
rise/fall of the prices of the raw materials of Rock Phosphate, Sulphur and also the exchange
rate. In order to ensure quality of SSP, the SSP manufacturers are required to produce a
certificate of quality issued by the State Governments in which the units are located. The
units are required to write/print "Quality Certified" on each bag of the SSP.
The Department vide notification dated 13.8.2009 further revised concession scheme for SSP
policy which was effective from 1.10.2009 to 30.4.2010. As per this policy, the Government
decided to leave the selling price of SSP open w.e.f. 1.10.2009 instead of the earlier MRP
of Rs. 3400 PMT on all India basis and provided ad hoc concession for an amount
of Rs. 2000 PMT for powdered, granulated and boronated SSP. Only those SSP
manufacturers were allowed to claim subsidy, which produced 50% of the annual installed
capacity or 40,000 MTs per annum. The system of releasing 'On Account' as well as balance
payment of concession continued as it was.
W.e.f. 1.5.2010, the Nutrient Based Subsidy Policy has also been extended to SSP.
 
The rate of subsidy and MRP of SSP during the year 1993-94 to 2014-15 is as under:

Period Rate of Subsidy MRP (in Rs. PMT

Under Concession Scheme
1993-94 to 2007-08
2008-09
(1.5.2008 to 30.9.2009)
Different amount of subsidy Upto 30.4.2008, MRP was fixed by
respective State Governments for
sale of SSP within their State
Month-wise subsidy announced W.e.f. 1.5.2008 to 30.9.2009,
by GOI as mentioned All India MRP of Rs. 3400 PMT
below Table-A

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 Period Rate of Subsidy MRP (in Rs. PMT
 
2009-10 Rs. 2000 PMT W.e.f. 1.10.2009 to 30.4.2010,
(1.10.2009 to 30.4.2010) MRP open
Under NBS scheme
May 2010 to Dec.2010 4400 MRP under control as per MOU
Jan. 2011 to March 2011 4296+Rs. 200 freight (Rs. 3200 per MT) 
April 2011 to March 2012 5359 open MRP w.e.f. 3.5.2011
April 2012 to March 2013 3673 open MRP
April 2013 to March 2014 3173 open MRP
April 2014 to March 2015 3173 open MRP
Table A

Rate of Concession for SSP for the period May 2008 to September 2009 under Concession Scheme
for SSP (Policy Notification No. 22011/4/2007-MPR dated 25.8.2008 was based on report of Cost
Account Branch 2004) (Fixed all India MRP of Rs. 3400/- PMT and month-wise concession
applicable
for imported and indigenous  Rock)
Month/year Rates of Concession based Rates of Concession based on Indigenous
on Imported Rock Rock Phosphate
Phosphate (Rs. PMT)
(Rs. PMT)
May, 2008 6406 4587
June, 2008 8942 5383
July, 2008 9160 5674
August, 2008 10391 6776
September, 11661 6990
2008
October, 2008 13003 5823
November,2008 7914 3070
December, 8965 2012
2008
January, 2009 8075 1967
February, 2009 7503 1961
March, 2009 5870 1944
April, 2009 2927 1873

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 Rate of Concession for SSP for the period May 2008 to September 2009 under Concession Scheme
for SSP (Policy Notification No. 22011/4/2007-MPR dated 25.8.2008 was based on report of Cost
Account Branch 2004) (Fixed all India MRP of Rs. 3400/- PMT and month-wise concession
applicable
for imported and indigenous  Rock)
Month/year Rates of Concession based Rates of Concession based on Indigenous
on Imported Rock Rock Phosphate
Phosphate (Rs. PMT)
(Rs. PMT)
May, 2009 2709 2006
June, 2009 2453 1982
July, 2009 2510 1986
August 2009 1951 2331
September 2251 2295
2009
 

8.         Quality of Fertilizers :

The Government of India has declared fertilizer as an essential commodity under the
Essential Commodities Act, 1955 (ECA) and has notified Fertilizer Control Order, 1985
(FCO) under this Act. Accordingly, it is the responsibility of the State Governments to ensure
the supply of quality of fertilizers by the manufacturers/importers of fertilizers as prescribed
under the FCO under the ECA. As per the provision of the FCO, the fertilizers, which meet
the standard of quality laid down in the order can only be sold to the farmers. There are 71
fertilizer testing laboratories including four laboratories of the Government of India at
Faridabad, Kalyani, Mumbai and Chennai with an annual analyzing capacity of 1.34 lakh
samples. The quality of the fertilizers imported in the Country is invariably checked by the
fertilizer quality control laboratories of the Government of India.
The State Governments are adequately empowered to draw samples of the fertilizers
anywhere in the Country and take appropriate action against the sellers of Non- Standard
fertilizers. The penal provision includes prosecution of offenders and sentence if convicted up
to seven years imprisonment under the ECA, 1955 besides cancellation of authorization
certificate and other administrative action. The Department of Fertilizers make deductions
along with penal interest on the quantity of the fertilizers for which the State Governments
have reported to be Non- Standard.

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 Payment of concession for P&K fertilizers and for Single Super Phosphate (SSP) is made by
the Department taking into account the certificate of quality given by the respective State
Governments in Proforma 'B' for the fertilizers received and sold in the State. Further, SSP
units are required to produce month-wise 'Quality Certificates' issued by the State
Governments of the State in which the units are located. The units are required to have well
equipped laboratory to test the sample of its SSP.
The SSP units are also required to print 'Quality Certified' on each bag released in the market.
DOF also deputes PDIL to conduct first time technical inspection of the new SSP units. PDIL
conducts six monthly inspections of the SSP units to check the quantity and quality of the
fertilizers for which the units are claiming payment of subsidy. The units are also required to
use only those grades of Rock Phosphate as inputs for manufacturing SSP under the NBS,
which are notified by DOF from time to time. A statement showing the notified grades is at
Annexure-XIII. DOF has also asked the State Government to constitute teams with that of
PDIL to test samples of Single Super Phosphate (SSP) at the retailer level. The marketers of
the SSP are also responsible for the quality of the fertilizer marketed by them. Department of
Fertilizers has also constituted vigilance teams of the Officers of the Department to check the
availability and quality of the fertilizers in the States.
 

9.         Subsidy outgo on P&K fertilizers and Urea during the last 10 years:
                                                                                                                                                                    
(in Rs. Crore.)

 
Year Subsidy Subsidy Subsidy on Urea Subsidy Total subsidy outgo
on P&K Regime Regime (P&K and Urea)
fertilizers for P&K for urea
fertilizers fertilizer
2005   6596.19 Concessio  
-06 n Scheme   19389.64
2006 10298.12 12793.45  
-07 New 28019.55
2007 16933.80 26385.36 Pricing
-08 Scheme 43319.16
2008 65554.79 33939.92 99494.71

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 Year Subsidy Subsidy Subsidy on Urea Subsidy Total subsidy outgo
on P&K Regime Regime (P&K and Urea)
fertilizers for P&K for urea
fertilizers fertilizer
-09
2009 39452.06 24580.23
-10 64032.29
2010 41500.00   24336.68
-11 NBS 65836.68
2011 36107.94 regime 37683.00
-12 73790.94
2012 30576.10 40016.00
-13 70592.10
2013 29426.86 41853.30
-14 71280.16
2014 24670.30 47400.00
-15
(BE) 72070.30
 

10        Study on the impact of NBS Policy:

In order to have better results in implementation of NBS Policy, the Department has assigned
the task of study of impact of NBS policy to a consultancy firm namely M/s Ernst &
Young(EY).  The key focus areas of the Study are as under:
 
(i)    Impact of NBS Policy on prices and availability of fertilizers in India.
(ii)   Impact of NBS Policy on balance fertilization of land and its impact on agricultural
productivity.
(iii)  Mechanism to ascertain ‘reasonability’ of MRP.
(iv) Identification of additional mechanism under NBS policy to make it more effective in
achieving its objectives.
(v)  Monitoring and regulation of prices.
(vi) Price Discovery and Fixation of Prices.

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 The report received from M/s EY has been circulated to concerned Ministries for their
comments. The Department will take appropriate measures in this regard after examination of
comments received from concerned Ministries/Departments and stake holder companies. 
 

Press Information Bureau

Government of India
Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers
19-July-2019 12:37 IST

Fertilizer Subsidies

There is no proposal to cut Fertilizers Subsidies.

Urea is being provided to the farmers at a statutorily notified Maximum Retail Price (MRP).
The MRP of 45 kg bag of Urea is Rs. 242 per bag (exclusive of charges towards neem
coating and taxes as applicable) and the MRP of 50 kg bag of Urea is Rs. 268 per bag
(exclusive of charges towards neem coating and taxes as applicable). The difference
between the delivered cost of fertilizers at farm gate and net market realization by the urea
units is given as subsidy to the urea manufacturer / importer by the Government of India.

As far as Phosphatic and Potassic (P&K) fertilizers are concerned, Government is

implementing Nutrient Based Subsidy (NBS) Scheme w.e.f 1.4.2010. Under the said
scheme, a fixed amount of subsidy decided on annual basis, is provided on each grade of
subsidized Phosphatic and Potassic (P&K) fertilizers depending upon its nutrient content.
This subsidy is given by Goverment of India to the P&K fertilizer companies which are
therefore able to provide P&K fertilizers to the farmers at a subsidized MRP, which is lower
than it would have been. Accordingly, farmers across the country who are procuring
fertilizers at MRP, is availing the benefit of subsidy.

    The details of the subsidy paid by the Govt. during last three years is as given below:

        (Rupees in crores)

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 Indigenou Importe Indigenou City Importe
Year s d s Compos d Total
 Urea  Urea P&K t P&K
2016 70100.0
40000.00 11256.59 11842.88 0.55 6999.99
-17 1
2017 69197.9
36973.70 9980.00 14337.00 7.26 7900.00
-18 6
2018 73435.2
32189.50 17155.36 14820.35 10.00 9260.00
-19 1

                   

 This information was given in a written reply by the Union Minister for the Chemicals &
Fertilizers, Shri D V Sadanand Gowda in the Rajya Sabha today.

*****

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 fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides to achieve more production per unit area but using more
doses than optimum or recommended of these chemicals and fertilizers leads to several
problems like environment pollution (land, water, air pollution), reduced input efficiency,
decreased food quality, resistance development in different weeds, diseases, insects, land
degradation, micronutrient deficiency in land, toxicity to different beneficial living organism
present above and below the land surface, less income from the production, etc. Despite these
many problems, there is also a challenge to meet the food demands of the world’s growing
population. Therefore, there is a need to produce nutrition rich and chemicals free agricultural
produce for the human and animal consumption without deteriorating are natural resources
that is why emphasis should be laid on the production of food rich in quality as well as
quantity.
Fertilizer use is no doubt beneficial to plant in providing deficient nutrients; also they have
several other conveniences such as the cheaper source of nutrient, higher nutrient content and
its solubility hence immediate availability, then it’s required in less amount, which makes it
more acceptable than organic fertilizer. There is abundance of evidence that inorganic
fertilizers can improve the land of crop significantly [18]. Fertilizers raise land fertility so that
the land of crops is independent and no longer be limited by the deficient amounts of plant
nutrients [19]. Despite these benefits, fertilizer has several negative effects on the
environment because of its growing consumption and lowering nutrient use efficiency.
Therefore, the major challenge in intensive agricultural production systems is to combine
intensive cultivation with high nutrient use efficiency.

4.1 Deleterious Effects of Inorganic fertilizers

Land nutrient level gets decreased over time when crop plants get harvested, and these
nutrients get replenished either through natural decomposition process or by adding
fertilizers. Hence fertilizer is an essential component of modern agriculture.
But though inorganic fertilizers are the major cause of sufficient crop production for the
world population, their overuse is bringing serious challenges to the present and future
generations like polluted air, water, and land, the degraded lands, depleted lands and
increased emissions of greenhouse gases. These synthetic fertilizers are not only becoming
hazardous for our environment but also to humans, animals and to the microbial life forms
too. It’s high time that everyone understands the ill effects of using excess inorganic
fertilizers and take initiatives for reducing

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 the use of inorganic fertilizer and pesticides substituting it with other organic amendments
like organic manures which not only provides essential nutrients to the plants but also
maintains the land health for the subsequent crops. There are so many other technologies
developing like slow or controlled released fertilizers, prilled or granulated fertilizer,
nitrification inhibitors, Nano-fertilizer etc., all these are the promising options we can use to
overcome these serious challenges and can save our environment as well as the ecosystem.
Let us now learn about the different hazards occurring due to excessive use of inorganic
fertilizers used for enhancing the crop production.

19.Impact of government schemes, subsidies and support for

_______.

 Impact of Concession Scheme:

 The MRP of P&K fertilizers were much lower than its delivered cost.  This led to
increase in consumption of fertilizers during the last three decades and consequently
increase in food grain production within the country.  However, it was observed in
last few years that the marginal response of agricultural productivity to additional
fertilizer usage in the country had fallen sharply, leading to near stagnation in

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 agricultural productivity and consequently agricultural production. The
disproportionate NPK application, rising multi-nutrient deficiency and lack of
application of organic manures leading to reduction in carbon content of the land, was
attributed to the stagnating agricultural productivity. The fertilizer sector worked in a
highly regulated environment with cost of production and selling prices being
determined by the Government of India. Due to this fertilizer industry suffered from
low profitability as compared to other sectors. The growth of fertilizer industry was
stagnated with virtually no investments for the past 11 years in urea sector and for
over eight years in P&K sector. The fertilizer industry had no incentive to invest on
modernization and for increasing efficiency.  The innovation in fertilizer sector also
suffered as very few products were introduced by fertilizer companies, since they get
out priced by subsidized fertilizers. The industry had no incentive to focus on farmers
leading to poor farm extension services, which were necessary to educate farmers
about the modern fertilizer application techniques, land health and promote land test
based application of land and crop specific fertilizers. 

 The subsidy outgo of Government also increased exponentially by 500% during the
past five years (2005-06 to 2009-10) under the Concession Scheme with about 94% of
the increase caused by increase in international prices of fertilizers and fertilizer
inputs, and only 6% attributable to increase in consumption. 

 It was, thus, observed that over the last few years the product based subsidy regime
(erstwhile concession scheme) had been proving to be a losing proposition for all the
stake holders viz farmers, industry and the Government. Accordingly, considering
all the issues relating to agriculture productivity, balanced fertilization and growth
of indigenous fertilizer industry, competitiveness amongst the fertilizer companies

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 and to overcome the deficiency of concession scheme, the Government introduced
Nutrient Based Subsidy (NBS) Policy for P&K fertilizers w.e.f. 1.4.2010.  
 

6          Nutrient Based Subsidy (NBS) Policy (w.e.f. 1.4.2010):

6.1       The Department is implementing NBS Policy for P&K fertilizers w.e.f. 1.4.2010.
Under the NBS Policy, a fixed rate of subsidy (in Rs. per Kg basis) is announced on nutrients
namely Nitrogen (N), Phosphate (P), Potash (K) and Sulphur (S) by the Government on
annual basis.   The salient features of NBS Policy are as under:
 An Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC) has been constituted with Secretary
(Fertilizers) as Chairperson and Joint Secretary level representatives of Department of
Agriculture & Cooperation (DAC), Department of Expenditure (DOE), Planning
Commission and Department of Agricultural Research and Education (DARE).  This
Committee recommends per nutrient subsidy for ‘N’, ‘P’, ‘K’ and ‘S’ before the start of the
financial year for decision by the Government (Department of Fertilizers). The IMC
recommends a per tonne additional subsidy on fortified subsidized fertilizers carrying
secondary (other than ‘S’) and micro- nutrients. The Committee also recommends inclusion
of new fertilizers under the subsidy regime based on application of manufacturers/ importers
and its need appraisal by the Indian Council for Agricultural Research (ICAR), for decision
by the Government. 
 The per Kg subsidy rates on the nutrient N, P, K, S is converted into per Tonne
subsidy on the various P&K fertilizers covered under NBS Policy.
 Any variant of the fertilizers covered under the subsidy scheme with micronutrients
namely Boron and Zinc, is eligible for a separate per tonne subsidy to encourage their
application along with primary nutrients. 
 At present 22 grades of P&K fertilizers namely DAP, MAP, TSP, MOP, Ammonium
Sulphate, SSP and 16 grades of NPKS complex fertilizers are covered under the NBS
Policy. 
 Under the NBS regime, MRP of P&K fertilizers has been left open and fertilizer
manufacturers/marketers are allowed to fix the MRP at reasonable rates.
 MRP of P&K fertilizers has been left open and fertilizer manufacturers/marketers are
allowed to fix the MRP at reasonable rates. In effect, the domestic prices are determined by
demand supply mechanism. 

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  The distribution and movement of fertilizers along with import of finished fertilizers,
fertilizer inputs and production by indigenous units is monitored through the online web
based “Fertilizer Monitoring System (FMS)” as was being done under the Concession
Scheme for P&K fertilizers.
 20% of the decontrolled fertilizers produced/imported in India has been placed in the
movement control under the Essential Commodities Act 1955 (ECA). Department of
Fertilizers regulates the movement of these fertilizers to bridge the supplies in underserve
areas.
 In addition to NBS, freight for the movement and distribution of the decontrolled
fertilizers by rail and road is being provided to enable wider availability of fertilizers even in
the remotest places in the country.   
 Import of all the subsidized P&K fertilizers, including complex fertilizers has been
placed under Open General License (OGL). NBS is available for imported complex
fertilizers also except Ammonium Sulphate. However, in case of Ammonium Sulphate (AS)
the NBS is applicable only to domestic production by M/s FACT. 
 Though the market price of subsidized fertilizers, except Urea, is determined based on
demand-supply dynamics, the fertilizer companies are required to print Retail Price (RP)
along with applicable subsidy on the fertilizer bags clearly. Any sale above the printed MRP
is punishable under the EC Act. 
 Manufacturers of customized fertilizers and mixture fertilizers have been permitted to
source subsidized fertilizers from the manufacturers/ importers after their receipt in the
districts as inputs for manufacturing customized fertilizers and mixture fertilizers for
agricultural purpose. However, no separate subsidy is provided on sale of customized
fertilizers and mixture fertilizers.
 A separate additional subsidy is also provided to the indigenous manufacturers
producing complex fertilizers using Naphtha based captive Ammonia to compensate for the
higher cost of production of ‘N’ for a maximum period of two years w.e.f. 1.4.2010 to
31.3.2012 during which the units are required to convert to gas or use imported Ammonia as
feedstock.  The quantum of additional subsidy is finalized by Department of Fertilizers in
consultation with DOE, based on study and recommendations by the Tariff Commission.
 The NBS is passed on to the farmers through the fertilizer industry. The payment of
NBS to the manufacturers/importers of P&K fertilizers is released as per the procedure
notified by the Department

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 20.WHY inorganic FERTILIZER SO BAD ?

• Inorganic fertilizers do not contain any trace minerals/micro nutrients. After a few years the
land has been depleted from those elements. Overtime those elements are not contained in the
fruits or in the vegetables anymore diminishing their quality.
• Inorganic fertilizers are used together with inorganicpesticides, herbicides and fungicides.
Use of chemicals have a negative impact on the land, the water as well as the crop as the
vegetables, for instance, still contain inorganictraces which are then absorbed upon eating
• Inorganic fertilizers kill microorganisms which in turn will make the land useless where
nothing can grow
• Inorganic fertilizers and pesticides are responsible for water contamination. For excessive
enrichment of ponds, rivers and lakes is due to an overuse of inorganic fertilizers (see
eutrophy)
• Usage of inorganic fertilizers have a long term effect on the plants, the land, the
environment and you.

Organic fertilizers work with the environment, provide adequate nutrients, give back to the
land what the plant has taken. Organic fertilizers contain micro nutrients and organic matter
which provide food to micro organisms. It also airs your land and retains humidity.

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 The harm of inorganic fertilizer
Would you like it if we ingested your body with chemicals every now and then? So why do
the same to plants. Using inorganic fertilizers as nutrient source to boost the plant growth is
not a healthy way to treat the land and the plants. We are seeing a massive use of inorganic
fertilizers in the third world countries to cater to the extra food requirement.

This over use of inorganic fertilizers is leading to a number of environmental issues and
health problems among the humans. This also causes a permanent damage to the land in the
area where it is used and leaves it unfit to grow crops after a point of time.

The need of the hour is to shift the system from inorganicto organic to not just maintain and
improve the land quality but also reduce the harm that it is causing to us.

permaculturenews By: Srishti Anand

21.News

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 Overuse of inorganic fertilizers threatens Kushtia land fertility

Excessive use of detrimental substances in

the field of Kushtia makes the land barren Dhaka Tribune

 The district was always acclaimed for its fertile land and high productivity with
a recent trend of overusing inorganic fertilizers instead of organic ones, to grow
larger batches of crops, thus ruining  the land

 Cultivating with inorganic fertilizers is increasing crop production in Kushtia

but threatens the fertility of the land to a great extent.  

 Kushtia is known for its agrarian enterprises and production of cash crops such
as paddy, wheat, jute, and vegetables, which contribute greatly to the country's
economy.The district was always acclaimed for its fertile land and high
productivity with a recent trend of overusing inorganic fertilizers instead of
organic ones, to grow larger batches of crops, thus ruining  the land.

 According to Kushtia Land Resource Development Institute (SRDI), of

1,62,120 hectares, around 1,15,978 hectares of lands are suitable for farming.

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 And with a food demand of almost 3.40 lakh tons, the district can provide for
4.60 lakh tons of crops. 

 Though land organic properties are declining drastically, deteriorating to

almost 1.14 percent in the last 15 years (2.75 percentile in 2013, 1.97 percentile
in 2016, and 2.10 percentile in 2018).Locals say the excessive use of
chemicals, pesticides, and cultivation of tobacco on croplands, are contributing
to the problem.

 In line with the allegations, farmers Jalal Uddin, Maruf, Amirul said that not
only is the land losing its potency, but they are also having to spend much more
money, almost twice as much to get a rich crop, as the land is not as fertile as it
used to be.

 Abdul Halim, a farmer from Mirpur upazila said: "The land has lost all its
richness and only works if larger bands of fertilizers are applied.  

 "I poured 75kgs of inorganic fertilizers in 1.5 bighas of land which has cost me
a fortune," he added.

 Deputy Assistant Agriculture Officer Saddam Hossain said farmers opted for
the chemicals because it provides a good land and said: "We are constantly
warning the farmers about the long term effects of these fertilizers on the land
but it seems they are more interested in short term profit."

 Officials of the district and upazila Department of Agricultural Extension,

Agriculturalists Ramesh Chandra Ghosh and Shyamol Kumar said, the
excessive presence of these detrimental substances in the land will eventually
make the land barren and production costly.

 Ramesh said: "We are encouraging farmers to use organic fertilizers and
pesticides alongside specific training programs to raise awareness and protect
these lands."

 Afroza Naznin, senior scientist of SRDI, blamed the higher temperatures due to
global warming, and highly dense crop-beds, alongside other reasons, and said:

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 "Although at least 5 percentile of organic properties should be present in the
land, it is alarming that only 1.61 percent was found in Kushtia's croplands."

 She also hoped for prompt steps to raise awareness among farmers and asked
the concerned authorities to train the farmers to gain a high land with organic
fertilizers.

Gujarat: State Govt To Discontinue Subsidy For Inorganic fertilizers, Take

Up Organic Farming

The state government of Gujarat recently held a meeting where Farmers Welfare and

122
 Cooperation Minister, Ranchhod Faldu stated that the state government wants to
discontinue the subsidy for inorganic fertilizers and that farmers should take up
organic farming. The meeting was held at the Main Dry Farming Research Station
(MDFRS), Junagadh Agricultural University, Targhadiya near Rajkot.

o But we want to discontinue this subsidy. You are aware of the fact that the burden of
disease has increased since we started using inorganic fertilizers and pesticides in
farming. When we were doing farming using manure, the scenario was different. In
order to save our agriculture and mankind, we will have to turn to Prakrutik Kheti
(organic farming), which is being promoted by Subhash Palekar,” The Indian
Express quoted Faldu as saying.

o Shubhash Palekar is an agriculturist who practiced and wrote many books about

Subhash Palekar Natural Farming (SPNF), formerly ZBNF (Zero Budget Natural
Farming), which is a type of farming where the cost of growing and harvesting plants
is zero. He is popularly known as ‘Krishi ka Rishi’.

o Concerns regarding inorganic fertilizers and pesticides adversely affecting the health
of people and fertility of agricultural land were cited as reasons behind this move.

o While addressing the meeting Faldu also added that the state and central government
allocated Rs 5,000 crore towards subsidizing inorganic fertilizers that 56.36 lakh
farmers of Gujarat used in the financial year 2018-’19.

o The meeting was called to formally start paying compensation to farmers for crop loss
caused by excessive and unseasonal rain.

o Farmers from Rajkot, Jamnagar, Devbhumi Dwarka, Morbi, Porbandar, and Junagadh
attended the meeting where Faldu and Kunvarji Bavaliya, the Minister for Water
Supply, Animal Husbandry and Rural Housing, handed over letters of compensation
to select farmers.

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 o According to Faldu, 9.77 lakh farmers from these six districts applied for
compensation till December 24 and the state government sanctioned Rs 745 crore
compensation.

o The payment of compensation was officially launched by Chief Minister Rupani at an

event in Vadodara. The CM began the process of transferring compensation directly
into bank accounts of farmers through digital transactions.

o Urging the farmers to disregard the ‘propaganda’ circulated by the opposition, Faldu
said, “You have elected us to work for you. Rest assured, we do not while away our
time sitting in chairs or driving around in red beacon cars. We are working for you,
providing all the support you need,” said Faldu.
o

o Also read: Meet ‘Krishi Ka Rishi’ Who Won The Padma Shri For His Zero-
Budget Natural Farming Model

Gujarat State Fertilizers & Chemicals undertakes shuts down of

plants at Vadodara

 Due to water logging and power interruption caused by heavy rains

 Gujarat State Fertilizers & Chemicals announced that on account of heavy downpour
close to 20 inches (499 mm) within a span of 12 hours on 31 July, 2019 and
subsequent water logging in plant areas, all plants except Hydrogen Section of
Ammonia-IV Plant and GTG Section of Cogeneration plant were effected in the
Vadodara Unit of the Company.

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  Therefore, as precautionary measure, shutdown of plants were taken due to power
interruption from 66 KV sub-station. Plants were stopped in safe manner with all due
precautions. Dewatering of water logged 66 KV and plant substations, drying and
preventive checking of electrical panels were taken prior to restoring power supplies
to plants in phased manner yesterday morning i.e. on 1 August, 2019.

 No major untoward incident happened in the Company during the entire period and
now all the operating plants are being restarted in phased manner. There would be no
major financial implication on account of this as we plan to put up insurance claim for
property damage/ production losses with insurers.

42% of India’s districts use 85% of its inorganicfertilisers

o The
parliamentary standing committee on agriculture has recommended formation of a
“Pesticide Development Authority” to ensure balanced use of inorganicfertilisers in
the wake of declining agricultural productivity.

o The 29th report, called “Impact of inorganic fertilizers and Pesticides on agriculture
and allied sectors in the country”, was tabled in Parliament by the committee. The 31-
member-committee was constituted in 2014-15 and is headed by Bhartiya Janata
Party MP Hukum Deo Narayan Yadav.

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 o Quoting data from the beginning of the green revolution, the committee observed that
decadal growth rate of agriculture has significantly decreased, from 8.37 per cent in
1960-70 to 2.61 per cent during 2000-2010.

o The current growth rate will be unable to feed the country’s population by 2025. The
country needs to produce 300 million metric tonnes (mmt) of grains against its current
output of 253 mmt.

o In its report, the committee pointed out the unequal use of fertilizers and pesticides in
different regions and blamed it for decreasing land fertility. Lack of awareness among
farmers was cited as the reason for this imbalance.

o According to the report, about 292 districts account for consumption of 85 per cent of
all of the country’s fertilisers. Besides, there are discrepancies in the use of fertilisers
on the basis of inorganicratios. The current comsumption ratio of nitrogen,
phosphorus and potassium (NPK) is 6.7:2.4:1 against their desirable ratio of 4:2:1.

o The situation is grimmer in major agricultural states like Punjab and Haryana where
NPK use ratios are as high as 31.4:8.0:1 and 27.7: 6.1:1 respectively.

o The crop-wise usage pattern of fertilisers is highly uneven. They are used most in
potato, sugarcane, cotton, wheat and paddy. Fertiliser use in some crops is more than
double the requirement. 

o The report blamed the Union Ministry of Agriculture's skewed subsidy policy for the
problem.

o It said, “The Secretary of Department of Agriculture, Cooperation and Farmers

Welfare, skewed subsidy policy in favour of urea and high prices of other fertilisers
are the real culprit behind the imbalanced use of fertilisers in the country.”

o The committee also recommended revision of the existing fertiliser subsidy policy
and promotion of organic fertilisers. It also asked to provide incentives for the use of
bio-fertilisers.

o The committee found that India does not have provisions for periodic scientific
evaluation of pesticides that are being used. The Central Insecticide Board (CIB) does
not conduct any research or study, but advises the government based on national and
international information available. To overcome this, the committee recommended a
separate authority.

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 o The committee also recommended legal action for using banned pesticides like DDT
for agriculture.

Non-urea fertiliser subsidy hiked to Rs 22,875 crore in FY20

Read more at:

https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/indl-goods/svs/chem-/-fertilisers/government-raises-subsidy-for-
non-urea-fertilisers-to-cost-rs-22875-crore-in-fy20/articleshow/70466026.cms?
utm_source=contentofinterest&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=cppst

NEW DELHI: The government on Wednesday raised the subsidy on nonurea fertilisers to ensure availability of
farm nutrients at affordable prices to farmers besides enabling manufacturers and importers to formalise supply
contracts for fertilisers and fertiliser inputs. This move will cost the exchequer Rs 22,875.50 crore in this fiscal.
the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi decided to fix the
subsidy for phosphatic and potassic fertilisers for 2019-20.

“The subsidy for nitrogen (N) has been fixed at Rs 18.90 per kg, phosphorous (P) at Rs 15.11 per kg, potash (K)
at Rs 11.12 per kg and sulphur (S) at Rs 3.56 per kg for the current fiscal,” said information & broadcasting
minister Prakash Javadekar after the meeting. He said the move will help in promoting balanced use ..

The government has been fixing subsidy for non-urea fertilisers under the nutrient-based subsidy (NBS) policy
since 2010. In this policy, a fixed amount of subsidy, decided on an annual basis, is provided on each grade of
subsidised phosphatic and potassic (P&K) fertilizers, except for urea, based on the nutrient content present in
them. The per kg subsidy rates on the nutrients N, P, K and S are converted into per tonne subsidy on the
various subsidised P&K fertilisers covered under this policy.

The government had paid Rs 69,197.96 crore as fertiliser subsidy in 2017-18 and Rs 73,435.21 crore in 2018-19.

The Cabinet also approved a bill that seeks to reduce the compliance burden of the registered chit funds industry

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 and protect the interest of subscribers. The Cabinet gave approval for the introduction of Chit Funds
(Amendment) Bill, 2019, in Parliament, Javadekar said.

He said the bill is aimed at fulfilling the objectives of reducing the regulatory or compliance burden of the
registered chit funds industry as well as protecting the interest of subscribers.

The government had earlier in 2018 introduced a bill to regulate the chit fund industry but it lapsed, the minister
said.

The bill was introduced in the Lok Sabha in March 2018 and later referred to a standing committee on finance for
scrutiny. The parliamentary panel had suggested the government to incorporate element of insurance coverage
for subscribers, among others. It also noted that mobilising short-term funds to meet various personal needs has
been a chronic problem faced by the ..

22.Conclusion.

 Harmful Effects Of Inorganic fertilizer Plants require a number of land nutrients like
nitrogen, phosphorus and sulfur for their growth. But, land nutrient levels can
decrease over time when crop plants are harvested, as nutrients are not returned to the
land.

 Hence, these essential nutrients needs to be compensated either through the natural
process of decomposition, when plants die and decay, and the nutrients extracted from
the land return to the land or by the easy means of adding fertilizers.

 Fertilizers are substances used to add nutrients to the land to promote land fertility and
increase plant growth. Today fertilizer has become essential to modern agriculture to
feed the growing population. Use of fertilizers, especially, the inorganic fertilizers has
brought in blessings on humanity, which helped contain hunger and death in different
corners of the world.

 Though inorganic fertilizers increase crop production; their overuse has hardened the
land, decreased fertility, strengthened pesticides, polluted air and water, and released
greenhouse gases, thereby bringing hazards to human health and environment as well.

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  It has already been proved how inorganic fertilizers pose serious challenges to the
balanced and sustainable growth. Accordingly, scientists and researchers are seen
arguing in favor of organic fertilizers as the best solution to avoid land pollution and
many other threats to environment and life caused by overuse of inorganic fertilizers.

 Since salt content is one of the most critical characteristics of inorganic fertilizers;
they are expected to be harmful to agriculture in the long run as salts are harmful for
plants as well as land. Continuous use of these inorganic fertilizers depletes essential
land nutrients and minerals that are naturally found in fertile land.

 When we use inorganic fertilizers; they do not help replenish land nutrients and its
fertility contrary to the popular belief; but, replenish only nitrogen, potassium and
phosphorous. And we know phosphorous does not dissolve in water and its overuse
may cause hardening of land. Likewise alkaline fertilizers like sodium-nitrate develop
alkalinity in land reducing its fertility and making it barren. So to say; land fertility
and vegetation depend much on the balanced supply of essential nutrients and
minerals.

 As such, overuse of specific nutrients may cause imbalance in the supply of land
nutrients further resulting in land degradation and the loss of equilibrium of a stable
land. Though inorganic fertilizers will help plants grow faster; plants will not be
healthy and strong as plants grown in that manner do not have enough time to mature
to develop a good root growth, strong stems, or nutritious fruits and vegetables.

 Even they will be less likely to survive because they will be more susceptible to pests
and diseases as they lack good immune system and enough resistance against these
forces. Besides this, inorganic fertilizers can cause root burn or fertilizer burn, as
inorganic fertilizers do not allow enough water intake for the plants. As already said;
inorganic fertilizers are high in nitrogen salts, and when the nitrogen is absorbed by
land too quickly; it will dehydrate and dry up the plant. Another important issue of
using nitrogen fertilizers is the groundwater contamination.

 Nitrogen fertilizers break down into nitrates and travel easily through the land.
Because it is water-soluble and can remain in groundwater for decades, the addition of
more nitrogen over the years has an accumulative effect. But, organic fertilizers are

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 not like them; they are slow release which will allow time for microbial activity to
break down the organic materials in the fertilizers.

 When we talk of microbial activity; we need to remember that natural microbes;

which include beneficial insects, fungus, and bacteria found in the land, are very
much helpful for healthy land and plant growth. Needless to say, use of inorganic
fertilizers will kill these land friendly micro-organisms. In their larger threat to
environment, animals and human health; inorganic fertilizers will ultimately end up
leaking into our water bodies; ponds, streams, ground water etc. and contaminate
water supply as a result of which humans as well as animals may suffer numerous
short term and long term hazardous inorganiceffects on their health and body.

 In reply to this, organic fertilizers will be the right solution without which gardening
and growing healthy and natural food and crops could be possible. Let's keep our
earth safe, for the present and the future!!!

23.REFRENCE:

Reference:
1.http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/d/dalailama132938.html#LiSDi0THBJKtSujF.9
9
2. http://www.ext.colostate.edu/pubs/crops/00517.html
3.http://passel.unl.edu/pages/informationmodule.php
4. http://www.lenntech.com/periodic/elements/n.htm
5. http://www.lands.wisc.edu/extension/wcmc/proceedings/2A.barak.pdf
6. http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/11/111106151314.htm

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 https://www.researchgate.net/publication/271211981_Investigation_of_Effect_of_Chemical_
Fertilizers_on_Environment
http://www.fao.org/tempref/docrep/fao/010/ag120e/ag120e02.pdf

https://www.eadarsha.com/eng/kanchanpur-land-turning-acidic-due-to-excessive-use-of-
chemical-fertilizers/

https://thelogicalindian.com/news/chemical-fertilizer-organic-farmer-
subsidy/https://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/nation/2019/12/09/overuse-of-chemical-
fertilizers-threatens-kushtia-land-fertility

https://www.business-standard.com/article/news-cm/gujarat-state-fertilizers-chemicals-
undertakes-shuts-down-of-plants-at-vadodara-119080201710_1.html

https://www.downtoearth.org.in/news/agriculture/42-of-india-s-districts-use-85-of-its-
chemical-fertilisers-55267

https://homeguides.sfgate.com/types-inorganic-fertilizers-39293.html

http://www.fao.org/tempref/docrep/fao/010/ag120e/ag120e02.pdf

https://prezi.com/bnmr7fr_sumn/advantages-of-inorganic-farming/ (vedio inorganic

farming )

http://fert.nic.in/sites/default/files/Annual_Report_2017-2018.PDF

https://www.google.com/url?
sa=i&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwiivqa2zNXmAhWqzDgGHf1J

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 Be4Qjhx6BAgBEAI&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.scribd.com%2Fdocument
%2F241547776%2FEffects-of-Chemical-Fertilizers-docx&psig=AOvVaw35WkRBdG-
Z6P3TrxcRObCV&ust=1577527338050920

https://www.google.com/url?
sa=i&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwit2fzwzNXmAhX24jgGHUbq
DgUQjhx6BAgBEAI&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.eoi.es%2Fblogs%2Fmavisasare
%2F2014%2F01%2F14%2Fthe-negative-side-of-chemical-fertilizer-and-land-life
%2F&psig=AOvVaw35WkRBdG-Z6P3TrxcRObCV&ust=1577527338050920

Content: https://permaculturenews.org/2016/02/25/green-leaf-manure-a-useful-organic-
manure/

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