Nano DAP
Context:
- While presenting the interim budget on yesterday Finance Minister announced the expansion of the application of Nano DAP on various crops in all agro climatic zones.
- She noted that after the successful adoption of Nano Urea, application of Nano DAP, on various crops, will be expanded in all agro-climatic zones.
About DAP:
- DAP which refers to di-ammonium phosphate is the second most commonly used fertiliser in India after urea.
- It is high in phosphorus (P) which stimulates root establishment and development without which plants cannot grow to their normal size, or will take too long to mature.
- It is thus applied just before or may be at the time of sowing.
About Nano DAP:
- Home Minister last year launched Indian Farmers Fertiliser Cooperative’s (IFFCO’s) Nano DAP.
- It contains 8% Nitrogen and 16% Phosphorus by volume.
- IFFCO’s Nano DAP is in liquid form unlike conventional DAP, which comes in granular form.
- It has an advantage in terms of surface area to volume, as its particle size is less than 100 Nanometre (nm).
- This tiny particle size makes Nano DAP more efficient than its conventional counterpart which enables the fertiliser to enter easily inside the seed surface or through stomata and other plant openings.
- Better assimilation of the Nano fertiliser inside the plant system in turn leads to higher seed vigour, more chlorophyll, photosynthetic efficiency, better quality and increase in crop yields.
Benefits of Nano DAP:
- It is more pocket-friendly than its conventional counterpart.
- A 500 ml bottle of Nano DAP, equivalent to a 50-kg bag of conventional DAP, is priced at only Rs 600 when compared to Rs 1,350 for the bag.
- Since the government is providingsignificant subsidies on DAP, the adoption of a more inexpensive fertiliser will likely be a significant relief to the government’s subsidy payments.
- Nano DAP is also significantly more convenient as 500 ml bottles are easier to transport, store, and use than 50kg bags.
- Most importantly India currently imports significant quantities of fertiliser to meet domestic demand.
- The adoption of domestically-produced Nano DAP which is produced in Kalol, Gujarat is set to significantly reduce this import burden.
