Secretary, Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare & Secretary, Department of Fertiliser co-chaired a meeting on 01^st March, 2023 with representatives of ICAR and State Governments.  The efforts of Government of India to promote integrated nutrient management for improving soil health and increased productivity were highlighted and the States were advised to promote judicious mix of chemical, organic & bio fertilisers and other innovative fertilisers based on the recommendation of soil health card.  In recent years, nano fertilizers have been introduced in the market and which has shown encouraging results in trials conducted by ICAR.  States were advised to encourage the use of nano fertilizer and other  innovative fertilisers such as Sulphur coated Urea , Triple Super Phosphate (TSP), Potash Derived from Molasses (PDM), Bio-fertilizers etc.    ADG, ICAR emphasized that the Nano-fertilizers have shown promise for application in plant nourishment because of the size-dependent qualities, high surface-volume ratio, and unique optical properties.  ICAR has conducted bio-efficacy trials in respect of nano-fertilisers in a number of crops at multi locations with different doses and is in the process of preparing Package of Practice for application of nano urea which would help farmers to make a shift to these fertilisers.  Some States also informed that farmers have got good results in terms of yield and quality with the application of nano-fertilisers and were making efforts for integrated nutrient management and use of nano urea.

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SNC/PK