PM-PRANAM scheme gets CCEA nod

PM-PRANAM scheme gets CCEA nod

News: The cabinet approved a string of schemes aimed at promoting sustainable agriculture and ensuring wellbeing of farmers.

What are the schemes in news?

Continuation of Urea Subsidy Scheme
• The CCEA approved continuation of Urea Subsidy Scheme to ensure constant availability of urea to the farmers at the same price of Rs 242/ 45 kg bag excluding taxes and neam coating charges.
• Due to ever changing geopolitical situation and increased raw material prices, Fertilizer prices have been increasing multifold globally over the years. But Government of India has protected its farmers from steep fertilizer price rise by increasing the fertilizer subsidy.

Nano Urea eco-system strengthened
• By 2025-26, eight Nano urea plants with production capacity of 44 Crore bottles equaling to 195 LMT of conventional urea will be commissioned.
• Nano fertilizer releases nutrients in a controlled manner contributing to higher nutrient use efficiency and while costing less to the farmers. Application of Nano Urea has demonstrated increase in crop yield.

PM-PRANAM scheme
• It encourages sustainable use of chemical fertilizers.
• PM Programme for Restoration, Awareness Generation, Nourishment and Amelioration of Mother – Earth (PMPRANAM)” is launched to incentivize States/ Union Territories to promote alternate fertilizers and balanced use of chemical fertilizers.

Introduction of Sulphur coated Urea (Urea Gold)
• It is being introduced in the country for the first time and is more economical and efficient than the currently used Neem coated urea. It will address Sulphur deficiency for the soil in the country.

Market Development Assistance (MDA) for promoting Organic Fertilizers from Gobardhan Plants
• Alloted 1451 crore rupees for marketing of organic fertilizers, viz., Fermented Organic Manures (FOM)/Liquid FOM/Phosphate Rich Organic Manures (PROM) produced as by-product from Bio- gas Plants/Compressed Biogas (CBG) Plants set up under umbrella GOBARdhan initiative.

How will above schemes help the farmers and in general other benefits?
• Improved soil health  Increased nutrient efficiency  Safe environment  Better Human health
• Better utilization of crop residue
• Farmers need not pay extra for urea
• Input cost for farmers will come down owing to reduced use of chemical fertilizers, opting for nano-urea etc
• Better returns for crop due to increased productivity
Source - PIB