Govt to introduce ‘Nano urea’ for paddy crop

Staff Reporter

Margao

Charting a new course  for farming in Goa, the agriculture department  is set to introduce ‘Nano urea’ for the Kharif  crop this year with an aim to  provide  healthier  nutrients to the crop as also to replace the use of solid urea.

Agriculture director Nevil Alphonso said the agriculture department has decided to use the Nano urea technology for the first time in the state. 

“We will use it in the ensuing Kharif crop.   Training session and sensitisation programme were organised in collaboration with   Indian Farmers Fertilisers Cooperatives Ltd., which is the manufacturer of the Nano urea,” he said.  

The move has been aimed at providing important and healthier nutrients to the paddy as also to replace the use of solid urea, Alphonso informed, adding that drones will be used to spray it. Farmers in the state use some 1,500 metric tonne of solid urea to raise the kharif crop.  

Nano urea, the first liquid version, will substitute the traditional neem-coated solid fertiliser, and will be used in the paddy fields from this year. It has been claimed that the efficiency rate of the liquid urea is high as compared to other types of fertilisers.

“The use of Nano urea will push down the use of traditional solid urea by at least 50%. The liquid urea does not affect the crop yield.   One 500 ml bottle of Nano urea is equivalent to 45 kg of solid urea.  The efficiency rate of Nano urea is 86% as compared to 30% to 40% of solid urea,’’ Alphonso explained. 

The abovementioned advantages have nudged the department to adopt Nano urea.

According to the agriculture director, Nano urea utilisation can also increase farmers’ income as there will be an increase in productivity.

The liquid urea will also push down input costs. It has additional benefits in terms of better soil, air, and water quality, which will help address the concerns over global warming and also meet the sustainable development goals, he maintained.   

Nano urea is 90% biodegradable and protects the environment, Alphonso said.  

It was informed that Nano urea contains 4.0 total nitrogen by weight which can evenly disperse in water. Size of Nano nitrogen particles is in the range of 30-50nm. Nitrogen present in Nano urea is in available form and effectively meets the crop nitrogen requirements.