New Delhi, Oct 14 The Fertiliser Association of India (FAI) has urged the Bihar government to reconsider its ban on the sale of non-subsidised soil nutrients, saying it does not support tagging such products with subsidised fertilisers.
On October 8, the state banned the sale of non-subsidised fertilisers after farmers complained that these were being tagged along with subsidised urea, DAP and complex fertilisers, pushing up their input costs.
In a letter to the state government, FAI sought a review, arguing that the ban would adversely affect farmers’ access to essential plant nutrients critical for soil health and crop productivity.
“FAI has consistently opposed the tagging of non-subsidised fertilisers with other products,” the letter said.
The industry body added that it had made its position clear through advertisements in national newspapers in several languages.
FAI pointed out that Madhya Pradesh had issued a similar ban but later reviewed it and confined the restriction to tagging alone.
The association said the ban runs counter to the government’s push for balanced fertiliser use to protect soil health and ensure sustainable productivity.
Integrated nutrient management, which combines mineral fertilisers, biofertilisers and organic inputs in the right proportion, is the only scientifically validated route to sustaining soil health and long-term productivity, it said.
Biofertilisers, it added, hold largely untapped potential to cut India’s dependence on imported mineral fertilisers.
Farmers often use non-subsidised products to complement subsidised fertilisers and achieve the right nutrient mix, FAI said, adding that their availability is important to raise foodgrain output to meet the needs of a growing population.
Citing soil data, FAI noted that organic carbon in Bihar’s soils is considerably low, whereas it should be above 0.75 per cent to sustain soil health. Remedies include applying farmyard manure, compost and crop residues, and practising balanced fertilisation by avoiding excess urea and combining organic and inorganic sources.
“The ban on these products may disrupt the nutrient balance, leading to reduced yields and declining soil health,” FAI said.
Instead of supporting food security, it warned, the measure could hurt agricultural output and farmers’ incomes.
The industry body also said several fertiliser companies run plants making organic and sulphur-based fertilisers, and the ban would affect their manufacturing operations.
Companies, it added, have agreements with vendors to supply such nutrients through dealers under the “one roof” concept, as directed by the Department of Fertilizers.
“We request you to kindly intervene in the matter and ensure that the sale of all fertilisers, including non-subsidised products, is permitted in Bihar,” the letter said.
(PTI News)
