Govt for stricter checks on use of nano urea, crop growth boosters

The Union agriculture ministry has called for stricter checks on crop nutrients such as nano urea and a possible ban on growth boosters known as biostimulants after complaints from farmers that these have increased costs without clear results, a move that follows an initial policy to push a set of newer forms of fertilisers.

- Zia Haq

Agriculture minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has ordered a crackdown on unregulated bio-stimulants, said to have no proven benefits on crop health, besides writing to states to prohibit the forced selling of nano urea, a newer, liquid form of the fertiliser popularised by the Modi government as a more efficient alternative since being launched in 2021.