In a bid to boost usage of water-soluble fertilisers in the country, the government may consider to include them under its concession scheme. It may even consider the rationalisation of import duty on water-soluble fertilisers. Both the issues are likely to come up for discussion in the Fertilizer Advisory Forum meeting on Wednesday.
Water-soluble fertilisers are considered better than chemical fertilisers as fully soluble fertilisers are better absorbed by plants resulting in better productivity. Also, there is no soil degradation.
Thus, the government is considering to bring 100% water-soluble fertilisers into the fertilizer control order (FCO). Under FCO, an uniform maximum retail price (MRP) is fixed excluding all taxes to make fertilisers available at affordable price to farmers throughout the country. Subsidized transportation facility is also provided. This makes fertilisers cheaper for farmers resulting in higher usage.
In India , 100% water-soluble fertilisers are currently not manufactured and are mainly imported and marketed.