All posts tagged: fertilizer

Centre raises fertilizer subsidy for kharif season

Centre raises fertilizer subsidy for kharif season

A farmer sprinkles fertilizer on a paddy field in the Nagaon district, Assam. | Photo Credit: ANI Amid concerns of a possible increase in fertilizer prices on account of the situation in West Asia, the Union Cabinet here on Monday approved an increase of about 12% in nutrient-based subsidy for Phosphatic and Potassic (P&K) fertilizers for the ongoing kharif crop season. Effective April 1 and up to September 30 this year, the tentative budgetary requirement for the subsidy will be ₹ 41,533.81 crore. “This is approximately ₹4,317 crore more than the budgetary requirement for kharif 2025 season. The budget for kharif 2025 was ₹ 37,216.15 crore,” the Union Government said in a release issued after the meeting of the Cabinet. Talking to the reporters, Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said be it COVID years or West Asia crisis, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has remained as a safety shield for farmers, insulating farmers from global price volatility. The Government maintained that by increasing the subsidy, the availability of fertilizers to farmers at subsidised, affordable …

Jaishankar raises concerns about food, fuel, fertilizer shortages at G-7 meet

Jaishankar raises concerns about food, fuel, fertilizer shortages at G-7 meet

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar during the G7 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (G7 FMM) session, in France on Maarch 27, 2026. Photo credit: @DrSJaishankar/X via PTI As the U.S.-Israel war against Iran approached the close of its fourth week, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar discussed India and the Global South’s concerns about food, fuel, and fertilizer shortages with his counterparts from the G-7 advanced economies and others, according to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). Mr. Jaishankar is on the second day of his visit to Vaux-de-Cernay, France, as one of several guest country representatives at the G-7 Foreign Ministers meeting. He spoke at two sessions, one on global governance, peacekeeping and humanitarian aid delivery, and a second session on the India Middle East Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC). The Minister stressed the importance of having resilient trade corridors, according to MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal. “The uncertainties arising from the conflicts in West Asia only make a stronger case for more resilient trade corridors and supply chains,” Mr. Jaishankar said in a post on X. “At the …

Amit Shah hails cabinet decision on JNPT Port, Assam fertilizer project

Amit Shah hails cabinet decision on JNPT Port, Assam fertilizer project

Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday said the Union Cabinet`s decision to construct a six-lane greenfield national highway connecting JNPA Port with Chowk in Maharashtra will bolster the country`s “buzzing” blue economy and spur new growth around Mumbai and Pune. Reacting to a host of decisions taken by the Cabinet on Wednesday, Shah also said that the approval of the new brownfield Ammonia-Urea complex at Namrup in Assam will drive the rural economy by making an adequate supply of fertilizer within its reach and enhance the Northeast`s potential as an exporter. “PM Shri @narendramodi Ji today instilled new energy in our maritime industry with the approval of the construction of a 6-lane Greenfield High-Speed National Highway starting from JNPA Port (Pagote) to Chowk in Maharashtra. “The decision will bolster our buzzing blue economy by enhancing the freight capabilities of the ports while at the same time spurring new growth around Mumbai and Pune. Thank you, Modi Ji, for the momentous decision,” he wrote on `X`. A meeting of the Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister …

New Farm Fertilizer Could Remove CO2 from Air, Improve Soil Quality

New Farm Fertilizer Could Remove CO2 from Air, Improve Soil Quality

A potential method to reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) levels in the atmosphere has been identified, involving a material that could be used in agriculture. This approach utilises specific minerals to accelerate the natural process of carbon mineralisation, a method that could significantly impact carbon removal efforts. Research suggests that by modifying certain minerals, CO2 can be absorbed and locked into stable compounds much faster than traditional methods, potentially sequestering billions of tons annually. Scientists believe this innovation could complement existing climate mitigation strategies while benefiting agricultural practices. Study Identifies Faster Carbon Capture Process According to a study published in Nature, researchers have found that calcium silicates react with CO2 more efficiently than the traditionally used magnesium silicates. This reaction speed makes them a promising option for large-scale CO2 removal. The study, led by Stanford University chemist Matthew Kanan and postdoctoral researcher Yuxuan Chen, suggests that integrating these materials into agricultural soils could provide a dual benefit—enhancing soil quality while removing atmospheric CO2. Mineral Conversion Could Enhance Efficiency A method was developed to produce calcium silicates …

This is how banana peel fertilisers can transform your garden | Life-style News

Many gardening enthusiasts are adopting sustainable gardening practices today. One curious trend that is emerging includes using banana peel as a fertiliser. Beyond its role as a nutritious snack, this often-overlooked fruit byproduct holds the potential to revolutionise our approach to fertilisation. Hrishit Panthry, co founder, of Envirocare Foundation says, “Banana peels are rich in different nutrients that can be used in fertilisers and they include potassium, phosphorus, and calcium. These nutrients play a vital function in the reproductive capabilities of plants and their development.” A post shared by Life’s Good Kitchen on Instagram explains why this hack is a game changer. “Think there’s no way to reuse old banana peels? This homemade banana peel fertilizer is about to blow your mind!” the caption states. Ferdin Sylvester, director and co-founder at One Earth Foundation, shares with indianexpress.com that India, the world’s top banana producer, generates a large amount of banana peel waste. The utilisation of banana skin fertiliser aligns with our country’s sustainability goals, promotes a circular economy, reduces dependence on chemical fertilisers, and empowers …

Houthi attack on cargo ship in Red Sea causes 29km-long oil slick | World News

An attack by Yemeni Houthi rebels on a Belize-flagged ship earlier this month caused an 18-mile (29-km) oil slick, the US military said Saturday. It also warned of the danger of a spill from the vessel’s cargo of fertilizer. In this satellite image provided by Planet Labs, the Belize-flagged bulk carrier Rubymar is seen in the southern Red Sea near the Bay el-Mandeb Strait leaking oil after an attack by Yemen’s Houthi rebels Feb. 20, 2024.(AP) The Rubymar, a British-registered, Lebanese-operated cargo vessel, was attacked on Feb 18 while sailing through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait that connects the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, US Central Command said. Hindustan Times – your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. ALSO READ- Navigating the Red Sea crisis: Implications for global supply chains The missile attack forced the crew to abandon the vessel, which had been on its way to Bulgaria after leaving Khorfakkan in the United Arab Emirates. It was transporting more than 41,000 tons of fertiliser, CENTCOM said in a statement. The vessel suffered …

Fertilizer subsidies to come down, Mandaviya says

Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya. File | Photo Credit: ANI Talking to reporters about his new book ‘Fertilising the Future: Bharat’s March Towards Fertiliser Self-Sufficiency’, Union Fertilizers Minister Manuskh Mandaviya said here on Wednesday that consistent steps taken by the Narendra Modi government are leading to decrease in fertilizer subsidies and self reliance in fertilizers production. He said the country has adequate stocks of fertilizers for the ongoing rabi and upcoming kharif seasons. The Minister said the country has stocks of 70 lakh tonnes of urea, 20 lakh tonnes of Di Ammonium Phosphate, 10 lakh tonnes of Muriate of Potash, 40 lakh tonnes of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium and 20 lakh tonnes of single super phosphate at present.  When asked about the subsidy, he said it is likely to come down and is estimated at around ₹1.7-1.8 lakh crore. “Subsidy is expected to be lower this year because of fall in global prices. We have not increased retail prices to reduce subsidy,” he said. He added that when the prices increased globally, the Centre increased …

Fertilizer shortage, price hike worry paddy farmers

Increasing prices and lack of availability of fertilizers are worrying paddy farmers in the district, especially as there is a delay for the farmers in getting the price of the paddy procured from them. The shortage of urea caused much worries to the farmers for about a month in many parts of the district. Some farmers alleged that the shortage was an artificially created one by a lobby pushing the use of nano-urea. Some cooperative bodies involved in the distribution of fertilizers have been blamed for insisting on unrealistic conditions. According to National Farmers Protection Committee (NFPC) general secretary Pandiyode Prabhakaran, making the fertilizers available to the farmers in time is the government’s responsibility. “Like quality seed, plenty of water and a good price, the timely application of fertilizers is vital for a paddy farmer. Just one day’s delay in the application of fertilizers can affect the growth and quality of paddy,” said Mr. Prabhakaran. Although urea, potash and complex fertilizer like Factamfos are the key fertilizers used by paddy farmers, the unavailability of urea …

Govt hopes to trim fertilizer and food subsidies | Latest News India

The upcoming Union Budget 2023-24 is likely to set aside approximately ₹3.8 lakh crore for food and fertilizer subsidies, about 25% lower than the nearly ₹5 lakh crore expected to be spent during the current financial year to March 31, according to two officials familiar with the matter. The projected savings come amid a broad revamp of the country’s subsidized food allocations and expected stable supply of fertilizers due to multi-year contracts with several countries to secure supply of raw materials. New deals, where Indian companies will invest in mineral-rich nations for raw materials critical for making fertilisers, are on the cards and will help the government hedge geopolitical uncertainties and negotiate better prices, one of the officials said, seeking anonymity. The country’s spending on food and fertilizers are headed to record levels this financial year as rising international gas prices and a free food scheme bloated federal subsidies, which comprise a tenth of the total government expenditure. The central government last month announced a move to end an expensive free food scheme – the …