The Indian government is preparing to grant permanent approval for nano-fertilizers, replacing the current three-year approval term. This initiative is part of a broader effort to facilitate ease of doing business, given the increasing adoption of this technology not only in India but also across 25 other countries. However, the Agriculture Ministry insists on a comprehensive evaluation of all test results by experts prior to issuing any such approval, including for new applications.
At the annual conference of the Fertiliser Association of India (FAI) in New Delhi, Agriculture Secretary Devesh Chaturvedi addressed concerns about the resistance to nano-fertilizers, acknowledging that their introduction may provoke skepticism. He emphasized that, due to the benefits nano-fertilizers offer for crops and soil health, farmer acceptance is expected to grow over time.
Chaturvedi indicated that companies are required to submit their test results to the government to facilitate the transition to permanent approval, reducing the need for reapplication every three years. Currently, IFFCO’s nano-urea has been renewed for an additional three years, while further renewals for other companies are anticipated by June 2026.
In a subtle warning to the fertilizer industry, Chaturvedi urged companies to avoid “tagging” nano-fertilizers and similar products such as bio-stimulants with subsidized fertilizers. He cautioned that such practices lead to unnecessary complaints, as the perception of being forced onto farmers can counteract the positive attributes of the product. “My request to all the companies is that we should educate farmers,” he stated, expressing the government’s willingness to support in this educational effort to foster adoption of new technology.
IFFCO’s Managing Director K J Patel noted that officers have been instructed against tagging products with subsidized fertilizers. However, he pointed out that non-subsidized agri-inputs sold at retail locations can sometimes be misrepresented as forced sales, even when they are voluntary requests from retailers to farmers.
Conversely, Chaturvedi remarked that companies often pressure wholesalers, who in turn exert similar pressure on retailers, leading to the imposition of these products on farmers. He called on companies to investigate the underlying causes of resistance to new products and address any challenges that arise, recognizing that hesitancy often stems from tagging.
On December 9, Minister of State for Agriculture Bhagirath Choudhary informed Parliament that the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) is conducting a five-year network project titled ‘Evaluation of Nano Urea on Crop Productivity and Nitrogen Use Efficiency in Diverse Agro-Ecological Zones of India’. The goal of the project is to assess the long-term effects of nano urea on soil nutrients, crop yield, and quality.
ICAR is undertaking an independent evaluation of nano-fertilizers, with an estimated budget of ₹15 crore, testing efficacy across thousands of locations nationwide. Nevertheless, experts have raised concerns regarding the fairness of the evaluation, given that the project is funded by producing companies.
The study was initiated in response to mixed reports from various research institutions and state universities. Research from institutions such as the Punjab Agricultural University and Indira Gandhi Krishi Vishwavidyalaya has indicated potential negative impacts of nano urea on grain yield and quality. In contrast, agronomic trials in Hyderabad, Karnal, Bengaluru, Jobner, and Kalyani have reported yield increases in cereals and oilseeds between 5-15% following two foliar applications of nano urea.
Published on December 11, 2025.
