Source: IE
Context:
India’s urea consumption is set to touch 40 million tonnes (mt) in the current fiscal, due to surplus monsoon-induced demand and also the maximum retail price (MRP) of the nitrogenous fertiliser remaining unchanged for over a decade.
About Urea
- Chemical composition: CO(NH₂)₂ – a nitrogen-rich compound containing 46% nitrogen, making it the most concentrated solid nitrogen fertiliser.
- Purpose: Supplies nitrogen to plants for vegetative growth and chlorophyll formation.
- Form: White crystalline substance, highly soluble in water.
Production and Consumption in India:
- India is the second-largest consumer and third-largest producer of urea globally.
- Annual consumption exceeds 35 million tonnes, while domestic production hovers around 26–28 million tonnes, creating a supply gap met through imports.
- Key producers: IFFCO, NFL, RCF, CFCL, KRIBHCO, and new units under the revival of closed fertiliser plants (e.g., Gorakhpur, Sindri, Ramagundam).
About Nano Urea
- Nano Urea is a liquid fertiliser containing nano-sized nitrogen particles (20–50 nanometres) developed by Indian Farmers Fertiliser Cooperative (IFFCO).
- Each 500 ml bottle is equivalent to one 45-kg bag of conventional urea.
Key Features and Benefits:
- Higher efficiency: Delivers nitrogen directly to plant leaves, reducing losses due to leaching or volatilisation.
- Cost-effective: Reduces farmers’ fertiliser expenses by up to 10–15%.
- Eco-friendly: Cuts nitrogen run-off and greenhouse gas emissions.
- Import substitution: Reduces dependence on imported urea, saving foreign exchange.
- Ease of use: Can be sprayed on crops during growth stages using drones or sprayers.
