In a written reply in Rajya Sabha on Friday, Union Minister of Chemical and Fertilizer Mansukh Mandaviya praised IFFCO Nano Urea and said this could enhance farmer’s crop yields and save nitrogen to the extent of 50% , show trials.
“IFFCO has introduced the world’s 1st Nano Urea. An innovative solution for reducing environmental pollution & soil health. The Nano-fertilizer developed by IFFCO holds great promise for application in plant nourishment because of the size-dependent qualities, high surface-volume ratio, and unique properties”, he added.
Reacting to this development, IFFCO MD Dr U S Awasthi wrote, ” Indeed, this is really big & positive news for our farmers as #IFFCONanoUrea will help in increasing crop yields, reducing input cost and environmental pollution. The #NanoUrea is an initiative on the lines of PM Sh. @narendramodi Ji’s advice of reducing chemicals in the soil”.
It further added that, Nano-fertilizers release plant nutrients in a controlled manner contributing to higher nutrient use efficiency. Experimental trials of Nano Nitrogen undertaken during Rabi/Zaid 2019-20 through National Agriculture Research System (NARS) at 7 ICAR research institute/state agricultural Universities on different crops like Paddy, Wheat, Mustard, Maize, Tomato, Cabbage, Cucumber, Capsicum, Onion etc. were found agronomically suitable indicating that nano nitrogen (Nano Urea) can enhance farmer’s crop yields beside
nitrogen saving to the extent of 50%.
National Fertilizers Limited (NFL) and Rashtriya Chemicals and Fertilizers Ltd (RCF) PSUs of DoF signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Indian Farmers Fertiliser Cooperative Ltd. (IFFCO) for the technology transfer for production of Nano Urea, he added.
Imbalanced application of nitrogenous fertilizers and their low nutrient use efficiency (30-50 %) ultimately ends in polluting our soil air and water. NOx gases are an important cause of air pollution while nitrates leaching results in eutrophication and toxicity of our water bodies. Excess nitrates accumulation in leafy vegetables also harms human health.
It is therefore pertinent to look for alternative solutions to conserve our agro-ecosystems for future generations. IFFCO Nano Urea has emerged as an innovative solution to address these concerns. One half bottle of nano urea with better use efficiency can effectively reduce upto 1 bag of urea.
Application of Nano urea has considerable advantage in terms of safe and clean environment with the reduction in application of conventional bulk urea. Nano Urea has additional benefits in terms of better quality of harvested produce and higher crop productivity without harming soil health.
IFFCO has sought permission from the Department of Fertilizers for export of Nano Urea (liquid) manufactured from its Nano Fertilizer Plant facility set up at Kalol, Gujarat.