Store
GS3 · Agriculture inputs

Push for nano urea and nano DAP to improve nutrient-use efficiency

2 min readAgriculture
Battle IAS current affairs title card: Push for nano urea and nano DAP to improve nutrient-use efficiency (GS3 · Agriculture inputs, 4 August 2026)
Battle Brief

The Centre is promoting nano fertilisers such as Nano Urea and Nano DAP to raise nutrient-use efficiency and self-reliance, the Fertilizers Ministry told Rajya Sabha on 4 August 2026. They are sold through Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samriddhi Kendras and sprayed on leaves, including with Kisan Drones. Several States give subsidies; Gujarat pays 50 per cent of the cost.

Fact File

Released
4 Aug 2026, Rajya Sabha reply, Department of Fertilizers
Products
Nano Urea, Nano DAP
Sale points
Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samriddhi Kendras (PMKSKs)
Application
foliar spraying; Kisan Drones, battery sprayers
Gujarat
50% subsidy on nano fertilisers
Rajasthan
50% subsidy on spraying costs
In the news

Nano fertilisers: what happened?

Nano fertilisers are sprayed on leaves instead of being spread on soil. The government sees them as a way to use nutrients better. Adoption depends on farmers trusting them, so most of this reply is about awareness and easy spraying.

  • Outreach: camps, webinars, field demos, Kisan Sammelans and films in regional languages.
  • Village Level Entrepreneurs offer custom-hiring spraying services.
  • Uttarakhand mandates nano fertilisers in demos under ATMA, NFSM and Soil Health schemes; Odisha gives aid in 2026-27.
  • Makers such as IFFCO and Coromandel International run trials with ICAR, KVKs and State universities.
Back Story

What evidence does the reply give?

  • Companies say farmer feedback, collected through interactions and testimonials, has been generally positive.
  • The reply does not give yield or savings data.
Why examiners care

Why does nano fertilisers matter?

  • Self-reliance: Aims to cut dependence in the fertiliser sector.
  • Balanced use: Promotes balanced nutrient application.
Exam Radar

What can Prelims ask on nano fertilisers?

  • Nano Urea and Nano DAP: foliar application.
  • Sold via PMKSKs; sprayed with Kisan Drones.
  • State support: Gujarat 50% subsidy; Rajasthan 50% on spraying.

How to use this in Mains

GS-III Agriculture: cropping, MSP, PDS, food processing, land reforms

  1. As per PIB (2026-08-04): the Centre is promoting nano urea and nano DAP with States, researchers and manufacturers to raise fertiliser-use efficiency.
  2. Cuts subsidy and import burden if field efficacy holds.
Quotable data point

The Centre is promoting nano urea and nano DAP with States, researchers and manufacturers to raise fertiliser-use efficiency.

PIB: Fertilizers: nano fertilisers, 4 Aug 2026

Exam angle

UPSC

Prelims: nano fertilisers.

Practice MCQs

Original practice questions (not PYQs).

Practice · UPSC

Nano Urea and Nano DAP are mainly applied to crops through

Answer (b) & explanation

PIB (Fertilizers), 4 Aug 2026.

Quick questions

Questions students ask about this

How are nano fertilisers applied?

By foliar spraying on leaves, using sprayers or Kisan Drones.

Where can farmers buy them?

At Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samriddhi Kendras, through the fertiliser companies.

Which States give subsidies?

Gujarat gives 50 per cent on nano fertilisers, Rajasthan 50 per cent on spraying costs, and Odisha gives aid in 2026-27.

Keep studying

Go deeper

ExplainerSelf-Reliance in Pulses and Edible Oils: Mission for Aatmanirbharta in Pulses (2025-31), National Mission on Edible Oils (Oilseeds and Oil Palm), Import Dependence and the Way Forward (UPSC Notes + PYQs)ExplainerPM Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana: Convergence of 36 Schemes in 100 Low-Productivity Districts, Selection Criteria, Monitoring and the Aspirational Districts Model (UPSC Notes + PYQs)

Official source: PIB: Fertilizers: nano fertilisers, 4 Aug 2026

facts from cited sources only; faculty review pending