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Daily News Analysis

Nano-DAP

3rd February, 2024 Economy

Nano-DAP

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Context

  • As Nirmala Sitharaman announced that application of nano DAP on various crops will be expanded in all agro-climatic zones, fertiliser stocks jumped in trade.

Nano-DAP

  • Nano-DAP (Di-ammonium Phosphate) is an innovative agri-input developed by the Indian Farmers Fertilizer Cooperative Limited (IFFCO), utilizing nanotechnology to enhance efficiency in nutrient delivery to plants.

Key Features:

  • Contains 8% nitrogen and 16% phosphorus, distinguishing it from conventional granular DAP with 18% nitrogen and 46% phosphorus.
  • A 500 ml bottle of Nano-DAP is equivalent to a 50kg bag of regular DAP, costing ₹600 (without subsidy), compared to ₹1,350 per bag for conventional DAP (with subsidy).

Patent and Manufacturing Insights:

  • IFFCO holds a 20-year patent for Nano-DAP, securing a 20% royalty for global usage.
  • Manufacturing facilities established in Kalol, Kandla (Gujarat), and Paradeep (Odisha).

Production and Collaborative Endeavors:

  • Produced in collaboration with Coromandel, a private player.
  • Second product in the nano stable after Nano Urea, aligning with government efforts to reduce subsidies and enhance chemical efficiency.

Benefits

Crop Enhancement Benefits:

Higher Crop Yield:

  • Improves nutrient availability, leading to enhanced yields.
  • Increases chlorophyll content, photosynthesis rate, root biomass, and tillers/branches.

Economic Advantages

Increase in Farmers’ Income:

  • Lower input costs and improved crop quality contribute to higher income.

Nutritional Impact:

Quality Food:

  • Harvested food exhibits higher nutritional value in protein and nutrients.

Environmental Sustainability:

Environment-Friendly:

  • Resource and energy-efficient production.
  • Reduces excess fertilizer application, promoting agricultural sustainability.

Fertilizer Efficiency:

Reduction in Chemical Fertilizer Use:

  • Replaces 50% of conventional DAP’s phosphorus requirement, improving fertilizer efficiency.

Logistics Convenience:

Easy Storage and Transport:

  • Requires smaller amounts, reducing logistics and easing transportation for farmers.

Government Subsidy Consideration:

Reduction in Subsidy Burden:

  • Cost-effectiveness contributes to lowering the government's subsidy burden.

About Nano Fertilizers:

  • Designed using nanotechnology for efficient nutrient delivery to plants.
  • Involves molecular-level material manipulation.

PRACTICE QUESTION

Q. Consider the following statements regarding Nano-DAP (Di-ammonium Phosphate):

A. Nano-DAP, developed by IFFCO, contains 18% nitrogen and 46% phosphorus.

B. The cost of a 500 ml bottle of Nano-DAP is lower than a 50kg bag of conventional DAP, even without subsidies.

C. IFFCO holds a 10-year patent for Nano-DAP, allowing a 30% royalty for global usage.

D. Nano-DAP is the only nanotechnology-based agri-input developed by IFFCO.

Which of the statements is/are incorrect?

1.B only

2.B and D only

3.A, C and D only

4.B, C, and D only

Answer: 3. A and B only

Explanation:

  • Statement A is incorrect. Nano-DAP contains 8% nitrogen and 16% phosphorus, not 18% nitrogen and 46% phosphorus.
  • Statement B is correct. The cost of a 500 ml bottle of Nano-DAP is lower than a 50kg bag of conventional DAP, even without subsidies.
  • Statement C is incorrect. The information about the patent duration and royalty percentage is not provided in the given information.
  • Statement D is incorrect. Nano-DAP is mentioned as the second product from the nano stable after Nano Urea, implying that there is another nanotechnology-based agri-input developed by IFFCO.

Therefore, the correct answer is 3. A and B only