In a written reply in Rajya Sabha the Minister of state of Chemicals and Fertilizers Mansukh L. Mandaviya said the Department of Fertilizers is planning to conduct pilot study in DBT in fertilizer.
Mandaviya said this pilot study would be conducted in 8 districts in the coming Rabi Season (2016-17) and another 8 Districts in Kharif Season (2017-18) to capture Authenticated Retailer Sales and Buyer’s Details as a precursor to DBT in fertilizer sector.
Based on the results of the pilot, DoF will then move ahead with the pan India roadmap of DBT.
The feasibility of DBT in fertilizer would be ascertained only after analyzing the result of the pilot. Once the pilot is completed, the Department will evaluate technical and operational challenges and issues.
The Prime Minister in the recent past has spoken about the Rs 28,000 crore savings through the DBT. A move towards direct cash transfer to farmers by launching pilot projects for distribution of fertilizer in some of the districts of Odisha and Gujarat had been launched earlier.
Media reports suggest the government has decided to double the ambit of DBT by March next year with the Centre aiming to bring as many as 147 schemes under its purview from the 74 at present.
