Now the urea manufacturing companies will have to neem coat at least 75 percent of their total production. The central govt. has taken this step in order to check the excessive use of urea.
This is likely to reduce the govt subsidy to the tune of Rs. 6,500 crore. The excessive use of urea is not only affecting soil but also having a negative impact on crops. Several conscientious co-operative leaders including IFFCO MD Dr U S Awasthi have been active educating farmers on this.
Sources say the ministry of fertilisers has issued a notice to the urea manufacturers in this connection. Fertiliser minister Anant Kumar says neem coated urea will help effect an uptick of 15 to-20 percent in crop output. This will also reduce the use of urea by 15 to 20 percent.
Urea is heavily subsidized so it is excessively used. The excessive use of urea has altered the ideal proportion in the use of nitrozen ,phosphoras and potash.
The increasing use of Neem coated urea will act as discouragement to its use in the industrial sector. It also acts as an insecticide.