Government plans to reduce subsidy on fertilisers: Sharad Pawar

NEW DELHI: Concerned over the adverse impact of fertilisers on soil and crops, government plans to reduce subsidy on it and divert funds to organic manures, bio- fertilisers, green manures and promotion of organic farming.

"During the first Green Revolution, productivity was increased by 50 per cent with the help of fertilisers. But today balanced fertilisers are needed. Urea is being used by farmers in high quantity which is affecting productivity," Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar informed Lok Sabha today.

The government plans to change the subsidy policy and give more subsidy for balanced fertilisers and sought Parliament's support to divert the subsidy for fertilisers to organic and balanced manure, Pawar said during Question Hour.

He said due to excess use of fertilisers in Punjab, Haryana and Western Uttar Pradesh, paddy cannot be grown and government is now encouraging farmers of this region to sow pulses, oilseeds and wheat.

"Eastern India will concentrate mostly on growing paddy," he said.

To another question, Pawar said, "Government is encouraging use of soil amendments, micro-nutrients, bio-fertilisers, organic fertilisers, green manure and organic farming approaches to boost overall productivity."

Pawar said financial assistance was being provided for setting up of mechanised compost plants from vegetable and fruit waste and bio-fertiliser production units to ensure increased availability of compost and bio-fertilisers.