New Delhi, March 20 (NationPress) The Central Government confirmed in Parliament on Friday that there are no plans to raise the price of urea. The decision to reduce the size of urea bags is a strategic initiative aimed at promoting balanced fertiliser usage and enhancing soil health.

The bag size has been decreased from 50 kg to 45 kg, and in certain instances, to 40 kg. This change is designed to prevent excessive urea consumption and to encourage farmers to apply fertilisers more judiciously and efficiently, explained Minister of State for Chemicals and Fertilisers, Anupriya Patel, in a written response during the Lok Sabha session.

Currently, the maximum retail price (MRP) for a 45 kg bag of neem-coated urea is set at Rs 242 (excluding neem coating fees and applicable taxes). Meanwhile, the MRP for sulphur-coated urea stands at Rs 254 for a 40 kg bag (excluding Central and State levies/GST).

The government has underscored that these initiatives are intended to promote sustainable agricultural practices without placing any extra financial strain on farmers.

Moreover, in response to another inquiry, the minister noted a significant increase in the use of nano-fertilisers, with total sales reaching 1,593.37 lakh bottles of 500ml each since their launch. This figure comprises 1,219.27 lakh bottles of Nano Urea and 374.10 lakh bottles of Nano DAP.

Field trials by institutions under the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and State Agricultural Universities (SAUs) have validated the effectiveness of nano fertilisers. Research indicates that applying Nano Urea as a foliar spray, alongside the recommended basal dose of conventional fertilisers, can yield results similar to traditional methods while reducing urea usage by 25–50%, with yield increases of 3 to 8 percent across various crops. Trials involving Nano DAP have demonstrated that partially substituting phosphorus fertilisers (up to 50 percent) can also achieve comparable yields in specific cases, such as potato farming.

To ensure the long-term efficacy of these products, the government has launched multiple research initiatives. Among them is a Phase-II study with the National Productivity Council, initiated on November 14, 2025, aimed at assessing the replacement potential of conventional urea. Additionally, on November 3, 2025, a five-year network project with ICAR began to analyze nitrogen use efficiency across various agro-ecological zones. While findings have shown that comparable productivity can be achieved with partial substitution, the government is addressing challenges related to inconsistent performance and nutrient deficiencies at higher substitution levels, especially in low-fertility soils. Solutions include standardizing application protocols and advocating for balanced fertiliser use through extensive awareness campaigns and demonstrations.