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National Seminar on Fertigation
National Seminar on Fertigation
Vadodara, Gujarat
Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Government of IndiaMinistry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Government of Indiath10 Floor, International Trade Tower Nehru Place, New Delhi - 110019th10 Floor, International Trade Tower Nehru Place, New Delhi - 110019
Web: www.ncpahindia.comWeb: www.ncpahindia.com
Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Government of Indiath10 Floor, International Trade Tower Nehru Place, New Delhi - 110019
Web: www.ncpahindia.com
National Committee on Plasticulture Applications in Horticulture (NCPAH)National Committee on Plasticulture Applications in Horticulture (NCPAH)National Committee on Plasticulture Applications in Horticulture (NCPAH)
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M. S. Printers, C-108/1 Back Side, Naraina Industrial Area, Phase-1, New Delhi-110024
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A one-day National Seminar on Fertigation was organized at Hotel Surya thPalace, Vadodara, Gujarat on 15 September, 2017. The programme was started
with the Inaugural Session followed by Technical Sessions. Various dignitaries
as Secretary Agriculture, Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare;
Horticulture Commissioner, Government of India (GoI) and Member Secretary
(NCPAH); Managing Director, GSFC, Managing Director, GGRC; Additional
Commissioner (RFS), Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Officials from
industry, state governments, farmers and Precision Farming Development
Centers and NCPAH a�ended the seminar.
Horticulture Commissioner, GoI welcomed the participants and mentioned
the interests of the Secretary (Agriculture) to come to Vadodara for the seminar.
While giving the keynote address, Managing Director GSFC mentioned that
the country has covered almost 9 million hectare area under Micro Irrigation, the
fullest technology benefits have not been realized by the farmers and many
farmers don't follow fertigation in its true sense. Though the situation of
adoption of fertigation technique is constantly improving but there is still a
knowledge gap among the farmers and they prefer to use drip irrigation but
apply fertilizer in conventional way. Today, quite a large quantity of Water
Soluble Fertilizers (WSF) is imported from several countries and the prices are
usually more than indigenous fertilizers and hence increase the cost and burden
to the farmer resulting lesser adaptability. He had suggested to use Nitrogen
directly from ammonia and apply to plants. This would save a lot of energy and
cost used in production of urea. He further questioned the audience whether
Phosphorus could be directly supplied through Phosphoric acid. He coined
whether anhydrous ammonia, aqueous solutions of ammonia, aqueous
solutions of ammonium nitrate can be bo�led close to farmers. He expressed the
need of Research & Development in this area.
MD, GSFC explored having fertilizer vending machines on lines of petrol
pump on pilot basis where farmers can get fertilizers anytime as per their
requirements. He informed the house that GSFC has decided to try few
vending machines on pilot basis. Looking into Benefit Cost Analysis, He
mentioned that though initial investment may be higher but country would be
benefi�ed in terms of reduction in fertilizer usage. Cost of bag is avoided.
Further crop based fertilizer calculation could also be a part of such vending
machines. Coating of seeds with fertilizers would save the expenditure on basal
dose and enhance effectiveness.
Additional Commissioner (RFS) while giving the genesis of the seminar
mentioned that fertigation is an integral component of the micro irrigation
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National Seminar on Fertigation
technology. He mentioned that without fertigation the potential of Micro
Irrigation system is not fully accomplished. The extent of fertigation through the
existing MI coverage is very meager which needs to be addressed to. Additional
Commissioner mentioned that fertigation is supported in the scheme for
making the MI system more efficient. It is important to use venturi along with
micro irrigation for supply of fertilizers. He addressed the PFDCs to carry out
training on fertigation for end users.
Project Director (NCPAH) while speaking on “Necessity and Importance of
Fertigation” mentioned that Micro Irrigation fetches benefits in term of water
saving, productivity enhancement, quality improvement and saving of various
other inputs. Though fertigation techniques could go a long way in saving of
fertilizers but today only about 30-35% farmers are buying ventury in spite of the
reason it's a compulsory component under Government of India flagship
scheme of Micro Irrigation since almost two decades. He mentioned that in
fallow space between the drip lines there is almost nil moisture to absorb the
fertilizers by the plant roots, this results conversion of Nitrogen to ammonia,
Nitrogen gas and Nitrates which pollutes the environment and is disastrous for
the ozone layer. He mentioned the drawbacks in policies for imbalance use of
various nutrients which need be rectified. The ratio of various primary nutrients
need be assessed by the Research Institutes and proper package of practices for
fertigation through Micro Irrigation system need be published in the package of
practices released by various state agriculture universities. Excess of Nitrogen
application might lead to certain diseases in new borne children.
Principal Secretary (Agriculture), Government of Gujarat while giving
Presidential Address had narrated the good work done by GGRC and having
developed a self-sustaining system in implementation of Micro Irrigation
Programme. He suggested that the same model could be replicated in other
parts of the country. He suggested that organic fertilizers also need be studied
alongwith various gobar gas plants with anaerobic chambers to have be�er soil
health.
Secretary (AC&FW), MoA&FW explained the role of Plasticulture genesis
which was started by a public sector M/s Indian Petrochemical Corporation
Limited way back from Vadodara. NCPAH is a brain child of IPCL which has
been instrumental in propagation of plasticulture applications in the country.
He applauded efforts of GGRC in ensuring laid down procedures and
availability of system at affordable prices. He mentioned, a lot of efforts need be
put on area of fertigation for balance use of nutrients at an affordable price. He
stressed the need of economic use of fertilizers for saving hazardous effect to soil
as well as adverse effects to environment.
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National Seminar on Fertigation
The Technical Session-1 was chaired by Dr. S. K. Pa�anayak, Secretary
(AC&FW) Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, GoI, and Co-chaired by
Shri A.M. Tiwari, Managing Director, GSFC, Vadodara and Rapporteur was Dr.
V. P. Usadadiya, PI , PFDC, NAU, Navsari (Gujarat) Centre. In this session,
total five lectures were delivered by the different speakers of Fertilizer & MI
Industries on Status & Perspective of the respective Industries.
The first Speaker, Mr. Ajay Bhartiya, Marketing Director (South-East Asia),
HMWSF Company delivered the lecture on 'Water Soluble/ Liquid Fertilizers
in India-Status and & Issues in India'. He highlighted the water-soluble fertilizer
started in India from 1996 and FCO approved in 2017. He also gave basic
information of WSF for specific crop and time of application. He further
mentioned new drivers particularly on increase acreage, DBT for subsidy,
product design and market price. Nowadays, WSF is costly due to imported
from other countries. Some industries in India have came forward for develop
and manufacture locally.
Mr. Snehashish Mazumder, Premier Irrigation Adritec Private Limited
delivered the lecture on 'Principles of Fertigation in Micro Irrigation'. He
illustrated the ways to correct the nutrient deficiency through MI and apply
nutrients for ge�ing full benefits of Micro Irrigation & Fertigation. He also
narrated the role of various nutrients for crop production as per the solubility of
fertilizer and its use. He mentioned that ventury is more useful for uniform
application of fertilizer through Micro Irrigation.
Dr. Arun K. Nair, Nagarjuna Fertilizers & Chemicals Limited delivered his
lecture on "Nutrient Management in crops through Micro Irrigation”. Recently,
the production of the crop is stagnate due to imbalance use of fertilizer and also
quality of marketable products, therefore, it was suggested to increase the
nutrient use efficiently by adoption of water saving technology like MI and
fertigation. The survey was carried out by TNAU, Tamil Nadu and it was
observed that only 10% farmers' use fertigation technology. He also said that the
fertilizers that are available in the market are expensive.
A talk on 'Fertigation Equipment was delivered by Dr. Sangita Ladha, Jain
Irrigation Systems Limited. She talked about the importance of fertigation
TECHNICAL SESSION-1: FERTILIZER & MI INDUSTRY-STATUS & INDUSTRY PERSPECTIVE
3
equipments like fertilizer tank, ventury, injector pump and high-tech automatic
equipment use for fertilizer application through MI. She mentioned that
fertigation equipment is must to the beneficiary for efficient use of fertilizers and
training require for maintenance for fertigation equipments. She also gave the
idea of chemigation and chlorination in her talk. A few video clips on the
functioning of fertigation system had also been played.
Mr. Pawan Kumar, B I S delivered a lecture on 'Importance of
Standardization and Quality'. He focused on the technical specification of
equipments particularly use in fertigation. He emphasized on the procedure for
formulating IS standerd which follows ISO standard.
At the end of the technical session different queries were raised by the
participants and got suggestions by respective speakers to solve their problems.
Recommendations come out from the first technical session are as under:
Water soluble fertilizers are costlier than conventional fertilizers,
though, subsidy require for promotion of WSF among the farmers.
Fertigation equipments must be supplied to the beneficiary for increase
the efficiency of fertilizer.
The local available WSF be used/ promoted rather than the imported
ones.
WSF development as per the crop grown be available for enhanced
production & productivity.
Need research on scheduling/ time of application of WSF require for
fertigation.
Require training for use of fertigation through drip and conduct
demonstration on farmers' fields.
Need research on micronutrients application through fertigation for
balance use of nutrition.
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National Seminar on Fertigation
The Technical Session-II was chaired by Dr. D.S Yadav, Director (Marketing)
Fertilizer Association of India (FAI) and Co-chaired by Secretary, Irrigation
Association of India and Rapporteur was Mr Pathan Haiyumkhan, Consultant
(RFS), MoA&FW. In this session, four lectures were delivered by different
speakers especially on research a�ributes on fertigation in the country & Role of
Financial Institution in promoting fertigation in the country.
Dr. Neelam Patel, Principal Investigator, PFDC Delhi, IARI delivered her
talk on “Research Findings on Fertigation by PFDCs across the country”. She
explained the different agro climatic regions of PFDCs and the crops that are
grown in various PFDCs. She gave a brief on Thrust area and researchable
issues for technology development in the last decades from 1985-2015 onwards.
She further explained the Fertigation technology for 42 horticultural crops in
detail.
Next lecture on “Field Level constraints and suggestions for be�er adoption
of Fertigation” was delivered by Dr. S. Raman, Advisor GGRC. He emphasized
on different field level constraints viz. Hardware Related Problems, High costs
of WSF and unaffordability by farmer, technology and knowledge gap. He also
gave suggestions for improving ventury used for fertigation and hardware
related issues. He discussed about the approximate prices of some WSF that are
imported and locally available. He explained the uses of urea phosphate that
should be used by the farmers.
Mr. Rajesh Dave, DGM (NABARD) delivered his talk on “Role of Financial
Institutions in Promoting Fertigation & Micro Irrigation.” He gave a brief on
Scenario of Water resources available in India and also the significance of
PMKSY, the benefits of Micro Irrigation and advantages of NPK fertigation. He
talked about role of NABARD and credit support to micro irrigation. The
subsidy norms in Gujarat state through GGRC were also discussed.
Recommendations
Fertigation equipments should be made mandatory with compatible
Micro Irrigation systems.
Cost of water soluble fertilizers should be analyzed so that the pricing can
be brought down.
TECHNICAL SESSION-2: IMPACT AND IMPORTANCE OF FERTIGATION
5
National Seminar on Fertigation
Locally made water soluble fertilizers should be promoted rather than
imported water- soluble fertilizers as currently major quantity of WSF are
imported.
MOA & FW is requested to look into Chapter 31 of Central Excise tariff, so
that the excise duty on water soluble fertilizers is lowered down.
State Government should provide freedom to Fertilizer manufacturers for
manufacturing different combinations of water soluble fertilizers.
If any new grades of fertilizers are introduced then it should be widely
marketed through Newspapers and other media.
ICAR & State Agriculture Universities are requested to carry out research
projects on Fertigation & its scheduling and results should be extended to
farmers. The research should be carried out on different crops in different
agro climatic zones and on different types of soils.
Fertigation to be included in the Package of Practices.
PFDCs of NCPAH have carried out research on fertigation at different
PFDCs located at different Agro climatic zones of the country on 42 crops.
The results should be widely circulated & get it reached to the farmers.
Software's and applications to be created for fertigation scheduling as per
different agro climatic zone, soil type and crop.
For effective financing in Micro Irrigation, the loan amount should be
provided on the Farmer's share rather than on the total system cost.
Popularization & mobilization of Micro Irrigation through Corporate
Social Responsibility (CSR) should be promoted.
Credit camps to be organized focused on Micro Irrigation & Fertigation.
Glycerin pressure gauge to be provided to farmers to avoid the
malfunction of pressure gauges.
Test the system pressure at section valve level instead of depending only
on pressure gauge at head unit for be�er pressure management.
WSF like Urea Phosphate to be promoted.
PFDCs and Micro Irrigation companies can work together to create
sample plots for demonstration of Micro Irrigation & Fertigation system
for be�er visualization & understanding by farmers for field visits.
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National Seminar on Fertigation
Third technical session dealt with “Farmers' and States Experiences” and was
chaired by Dr. BNS Murthy, Horticulture Commissioner, Government of
India; Co-chaired by Dr. B. Rath, Additional Commissioner, GOI and Dr. R.S.
Spehia, Principal investigator, Precision Farming Development Centre (PFDC),
Solan was the Rapporteur. This session was of utmost importance as the actual
usage of Micro Irrigation and fertigation was put forth by the speakers. There
were five presentations by states viz. Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu,
West Bengal and U�ar Pradesh apart from one farmer who shared his
experience on effect of fertigation.
Mr. Venkatesh Valu from APMIP, Andhra Pradesh presented the status
of fertigation and MI in AP. At present, 8.34 lakh ha area (6.24 lakh ha
under drip irrigation and 2.1 lakh ha under sprinkler irrigation) is under
MI in AP. Fertigation is mostly done through drip irrigation system
which is using on-line and in-line drippers. On-line drippers are being
used in mango, sweet orange, oil palm, pomegranate etc. covering an
area of 2.87 lakh ha while in-line drippers are used in banana, papaya,
maize, turmeric, chili, sugarcane, co�on etc. covering an area of 2.19 lakh
ha. According to Mr. Valu, fertigation is not being adopted under on-line
drippers while in-line drippers use 60-70% area for fertigation. For
fertigation, mostly WSF are used besides commonly available urea and
white potash. Andhra Pradesh is undertaking extensive training
programmes for farmers at cluster level and till date 944 clusters
covering 37,432 farmers have been trained. Field demonstrations by
government and MI companies are also being promoted. Mr. Valu,
however, pointed few constraints that is hampering usage of fertigation
including lack of awareness amongst farmers and urgency of
undertaking Research and Development to develop crop specific and
area specific recommendations on fertigation.
Mr. R.K. Sugoor, IFS, presented Gujarat Green Revolution Company
(GGRC) experience in adoption of MI and fertigation in Gujarat state.
He outlined different strategies adopted by GGRC for promoting
fertigation including taking help of GSFC in making WSF available to
the farmers in remote locations. GGRC is conducting 10-15 trainings for
TECHNICAL SESSION-3: BEST PRACTICES & SUCCESS STORIES
7
National Seminar on Fertigation
farmers on daily basis, SMS service for promotion of WSF, redeemable
coupons for purchase of WSF etc. He also presented the impact survey
of the MI and fertigation in detail covering each aspect from water
saving to pay back period which included 2 cropping seasons. The role of
Precision Farming Development Centre (PFDC) in imparting training
was well appreciated.
Mr. Kishore Kumar, Deputy Director (Horticulture) Tamil Nadu,
presented the status of MI and fertigation in Tamil Nadu state.
According to Mr. Kumar, an area of 3,10,000 ha has been covered under
MI in Tamil Nadu and the state is promoting its use by giving 100%
subsidy to small and marginal farmers (< 5 ha) and 70% subsidy to other
farmers. He also briefed about one farmer who earned Rs. 70 lakhs from 7
acres mainly due to MI and fertigation which was helped by high prices
during that season of onion. He also put forth his summation that in the
drought during 2016-17, due to MI and fertigation the yield of crops did
not decrease substantially. The PFDC role in farmers training was
highlighted by the DDH.
Mr. Shubha Sinha, presented the status of MI in West Bengal and the
total area under MI in WB is around 442 ha out of which Drip Irrigation
holds 21 ha. He also appreciated role of PFDC in farmers training.
Farmers Experience:
Sh. Nikuj Bhai Patel, shared his experience regarding benefits of MI and
fertigation. At present he is having 1.5 ha area under Drip Irrigation in banana
which is operated through solar panels (3 HP). He had taken Rs. 1.8 lakh loan
from NABARD which he was able to repay within 3 years. He is ge�ing
average bunch weight of 38 kg with a rate Rs. 140/20 kg.
Concluding Session
1. Availability of Water Soluble Fertilizers (WSF) in the remote areas is still
a question mark, therefore, use of locally available fertilizer like urea and
white potash can be promoted along with WSF. However, efforts are
needed to make the WSF locally available through dealers/govt
agencies.
2. Creating awareness amongst farmers regarding fertigation is most
important task in hand for the government as well as MI companies as
mere providing the fertigation equipment with MI system will not fetch
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National Seminar on Fertigation
desired results. In states like U�ar Pradesh, West Bengal, and Tamil
Nadu where the drip irrigation and fertigation is still in nascent stage,
training to officers of the state departments is necessary. Farmers also
need to undergo training to know the importance of fertigation. PFDCs
in the respective states can help in training the officers and farmers.
Training of farmers in cluster approach and field demonstrations by
State department and M I companies is good methodology to
disseminate fertigation technology to the farmers. Other states also need
to follow the approach.
3. GGRC in Gujarat and APMIP in Andhra Pradesh are doing wonders in
adoption of Micro Irrigation. However, in Andhra Pradesh, fertigation is
not being done in on-line drippers which needs to be done for be�er
promotion of fertigation. This is mainly due to lack of awareness as on-
line drippers are equally good for fertigation. Research and
development on crop and location specific fertigation schedules for
different crops is needed. PFDC's with their experience can be of great
help in each state.
4. States like U�ar Pradesh, West Bengal and Tamil Nadu have huge role in
bringing 10 million ha area under MI as envisaged by Govt. of India, by
increasing area under drip and fertigation in their respective states.
These states need to gear up to the expectations and can become role
model for other states.
5. States showed concern about GST impacting the adoption as it has been
increased substantially. This has again reduced the amount of subsidy
being passed on to the farmers which is hampering the faster adoption of
MI. The ma�er, therefore, needs to be taken care of.
6. Shri S P Joshi, Director Horticulture, U�ar Pradesh, outlined various
programmes being undertaken by the State government for promoting
MI and fertigation in the populous state which has approximately
40,000 ha area under MI. He also appreciated PFDC role in undertaking
farmers training programmes.
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National Seminar on Fertigation
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National Seminar on Fertigation
11
Dr. S. K. Pattanayak (IAS) Dr. sanjay Prasad (IAS) Shri A.M. Tiwari (IAS)
Dr. B.N.S. Murthy Dr. B. Rath Mr. R.K. Sugoor, IFS
Mr. Ajay Bhartiya Mr. S. Majumder Dr. Arun K Nair
Dr. Sangeeta Laddha Mr. Pawan Kumar Mr. Rajesh Dave
Dr.(Ms.) Neelam Patel Dr. S.Raman Mr C.K. Patel
National Seminar on Fertigation
Mr. Anand R Zambre Mr. Naresh Modi
Dr. V.P. Usadadi Dr. R.S. Spehia Mr. Pathan Haiyumkhan
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National Seminar on Fertigation
National Committee on Plasticulture Applications in Horticulture (NCPAH)National Committee on Plasticulture Applications in Horticulture (NCPAH)National Committee on Plasticulture Applications in Horticulture (NCPAH)Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Government of India
th10 Floor, International Trade Tower Nehru Place, New Delhi - 110019Web: www.ncpahindia.com
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