Union Chemicals and Fertilisers Minister Ananth Kumar on Friday announced that the Centre would soon come out with a comprehensive fertilisers’ policy.
Addressing farmers after honouring innovative farmers with awards at the final day of the three-day Krishi Mela organised by the University of Agricultural Sciences-Bangalore here, Mr. Kumar said the proposed policy which would be ready in a few days from now would have a pro-farmer approach.
The policy, which is being brought out at the instructions of Prime Minister Narenda Modi, will focus on scientific and balanced use of fertilisers depending upon the exact requirement of individual fields, he said.
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He expressed concern that presently there was an imbalance in the use of fertilisers due to indiscriminate application. To know the exact quantum of nutrients required for individual fields, the Centre would take up soil testing on an intensive mode by setting up more than 100 soil health laboratories this year in different parts of the country.
The entre had set a target of issuing soil health cards to Rs. 15 crore farmers in the next four years, he noted. He also assured the farmers of not increasing the prices of urea.
Mr. Kumar also assured the UAS-B of taking up the demand for a one-time grant for it to the Union Finance and Agriculture Ministers.
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Six agri-universities for NE region:
Stating that the NDA government was committed to protecting the interests of farmers by focussing on farm education, research and extension activities, Union Law Minister D. V. Sadananda Gowda said the Union Cabinet had given clearance for setting up six agricultural and allied universities in the north-eastern region at a cost of Rs. 780 crore at its Thursday’s meeting.
Similarly the scheme of Kisan Vikas Patra too had been revived recently, he said.
State Agricultural Prices Commission Chairman T.N. Prakash and UAS-B Vice-Chancellor D.P. Kumar were also present.