November 04, 2019, Bengaluru: The Indian Farmers Fertiliser Cooperative Limited (IFFCO) introduced its Nano-technology based product range for on-field trials on 3 November 2019. It was launched at a function held in Kalol, Gujarat. The Nano-tech product includes Nano Nitrogen, Nano Zinc, Nano Copper.

The nano products were researched and developed at the IFFCO Nano Biotechnology Research Centre (NBRC) at Kalol Unit. It has been identified that these nano-structured formulations effectively deliver nutrients to the plants. The products are meant to improve soil health, reduce emission greenhouse gases and also ensure upto 15-30 percent increase in crop production and reduce the requirement of conventional chemical fertilizer by 50 percent.

Dr. U.S Awasthi, MD, IFFCO said that in the first phase of the launch these products will be tested on farms under controlled conditions with support from ICAR/KVK.

“The first is IFFCO NANO NITROGEN, which is developed as an alternative to Urea. If used properly, this product has the potential to cut the requirement of Urea by 50 percent. The second is IFFCO NANO ZINC, which is developed as an alternative to the currently used Zinc fertilizers. Only 10 gm of this product would be sufficient for a hectare of land and would bring the requirement of NPK fertilizer down by 50 percent”, he said. He further added that, “the third product is IFFCO nano copper, which provides both nutrition and protection to the plant. It boosts the plants immunity against harmful pathogens and helps increase the activity of plant growth hormone and improves overall plant growth and development”.

Sadananda Gowda, Union Minister of Chemicals & Fertilizers praised IFFCO for their effort to develop ‘Nano-technology’ based products. “This step will certainly complement to the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi for doubling the farmer’s income by 2022,” he said while speaking at the event.

Moreover, Mansukh Mandaviya, Union Minister of State for Shipping (Independent Charge) and Chemicals and Fertilizers, Parshottam Rupala, Union Minister of State, Agriculture, and Farmers welfare and Panchayati Raj, Nitin Patel, Deputy Chief Minister, Gujarat attended the event where the nano products were launched. Jayesh Radadiya, Minister of Food, Civil Supply and Consumer Affairs, Cottage Industries, Printing & Stationary, Govt. of Gujarat, BS Nakai, Chairman, IFFCO, Dileep Sanghani and other dignitaries were also present at the launch.