Government approves launch of IFFCO’s nano DAP fertilizer

Subject : Science and Technology

Section: Nano technology

Concept :

The Indian Farmers Fertiliser Cooperative Limited (IFFCO), which introduced nano liquid urea in 2021 announced that the government has approved the launch of its nano DAP (di-ammonium phosphate) fertilizer in the market.
The Indian Prime Minister has said that the approval of nano DAP fertiliser is an important step towards making life easier for farmers.
The introduction and approval of nano DAP fertilizer are also seen as a big step towards self-reliance (aatma nirbharta) in the fertilizer sector as India imports DAP and MoP (muriate of potash) in huge quantities to meet its domestic demand.
IFFCO is also planning to launch nano potash, nano zinc and nano copper fertilizers.

About nano liquid DAP fertilizer:

It is a concentrated phosphate-based fertilizer.
It provides phosphorous nutrition throughout the crop growth and development cycle.
Nano-DAP is jointly manufactured by Indian Farmers Fertiliser Cooperative (IFFCO) in association with a private player Coromandel.
Nano-DAP will be sold at Rs 600 per bottle of 500 ml. One bottle will be equivalent to one bag of DAP, which currently costs Rs 1,350.
Expected benefits:
DAP is the second most consumed fertilizer in the country after urea.
Out of the estimated annual consumption of around 10-12.5 million tonnes, local production is around 4-5 million tonnes, while the rest has to be imported.
Nano-DAP will help to bring down India’s fertilizer import bill.
It is also expected to contribute to bringing down the annual subsidy on non-urea fertilizers.

Significance of Nano Fertilizer

Nanofertilizers offer benefits in nutrition management through their strong potential to increase nutrient use efficiency. Nutrients, either applied alone or in combination, are bound to nano-dimensional adsorbents, which release nutrients very slowly as compared to conventional fertilizers.

Fertilizer Control Order(FCO)

It has been issued under the Essential Commodities Act 1955.
It is administered by Department of Agriculture Cooperation, Govt. of India.
The FCO lays down,
what substances qualify for use as fertilizers in the soil;
product-wise specifications;
methods for sampling and analysis of fertilizers;
the procedure for obtaining a license/registration as a manufacturer/dealer in fertilizers;
conditions to be fulfilled for trading thereof.