Farmers encouraged to use neem-coated urea

Berhampur: Union minister of state for chemicals and fertilizers Hansraj Gangaram Ahir on Tuesday ruled out an increase in the price of urea in the next three years. "There will be no shortage of urea," he said at the Vikas Utsav celebrations.

The Union minister said the government encourages farmers to use neem-coated urea, instead of general, as the former would boost production.

He said FCIs Talcher fertilizer plant would be revived at a cost of around Rs 6000-crore. A consortium of Rashtriya Chemicals Fertilisers, Gas Authority of India Limited, Coal India Limited and Fertilizer Corporation of India Limited have started the process of revival last year. Technology for the production of 1.2 million tonne urea a year is almost finalised for the plant, he said.

The government has introduced soil health card for farmers. Around 14 crore cards would be distributed among farmers. The government has alloted Rs 435-crore for it.

Source : TOI