I wish to draw attention towards one such intervention, how Govertment action can lead to sudden upliftment of the use efficiency of nutrtients. In 2015, the government Ogf India ,had made it mandatory to coat domestic/imported urea with neem oil. This was done to boost crop yields, reduce cost of production and curb diversion to non-agriculture sectors. This was also done with the background information that India produces around 2.5 lakh tonnes of neem oil every year, which is sufficient for mandatory 100 per cent coating of domestic and imported urea, Also several reports suggest that It is estimated that over 60 per cent of the world’s neem tree population is found in India. Recent media repoirts suggest and senior governement functionaries stated that the manufacturers have been asked to install CCTV camera at production facilities and ports, and ensure proper testing of neem oil in-house as well as through outside laboratory before using the same for urea coating, he added. Higher government functionaries stating that neem-coated urea is showing positive results, the official said a study conducted by the Agriculture Ministry in four states —— Bihar, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and Punjab —— found that there was increase in farmers’ returns due to rise in crop yields and reduction in cost of production because of lower consumption of urea.The study, conducted through Bengaluru-based Agricultural Development and Rural Transformation Centre (ADRTC), found that use of neem-coated urea improved soil health, reduced costs on plant protection chemicals, reduced pest/disease attack and higher crop yields,
I suggest such measures can in a single stroke lead to immediate increase in use effciency of this particular nutrtient at field level.
Dr. BRAJENDRA PARMAR