Nano Liquid Urea

A recent opinion paper has questioned the scientific authenticity of nano liquid urea produced by Indian Farmers and Fertiliser Cooperative (IFFCO).

What is Nano Urea Liquid?

Food and agriculture are essential for all living things on our planet. Fertilizer use has increased as the world’s population has grown and there is a greater demand for food. However, farmers have traditionally grown crops using traditional methods for a long time. This includes using urea to supplement plants’ nitrogen requirements and increase food crop yield.

On the other hand, while urea helps increase crop yield, it is also harmful to the environment if used frequently and excessively. According to studies, plants do not utilize approximately 40% of urea, resulting in its dispersion in soil and groundwater. In addition, excess urea emits nitrous oxide, a harmful greenhouse gas that can harm the environment. However, without urea, farmers face several challenges, including low crop yields and an inability to earn a living. So, what is the answer?

IFFCO introduced the first Nano Urea, a breakthrough solution for the drawbacks observed while using urea. IFFCO has been working for the past 5 decades for the farmers with the mission of improving crop yields, enhancing soil fertility, and enriching the lives of farmers with social and economic independence. Ramesh Raliya is the scientist behind nano urea. He has been working on developing nano urea since 2015 and has been an active participant in the nationwide trial of nano urea from 2019. The innovative product was designed in Kalol, Gujarat, at IFFCO’s Nano Biotechnology Research Center (NBRC).

Indigenously created Nano urea is a liquid that provides plants with essential Nitrogen. Nitrogen is critical for producing amino acids, pigments, enzymes, and genetic material in plants. Nano urea liquid is a nanotechnology-based product that has solved several problems associated with common agricultural fertilizers. Trials with nano urea were carried out at seven ICAR research institutes and universities in 2019-20 as part of the National Agriculture Research System (NARS). Compared to traditional nitrogen supplementation methods, Nano Urea has demonstrated several advantages.

To learn in detail about Nanotechnology and its impact on the agricultural sector, candidates can visit the linked article. The technology involves the manipulation of matter on atomic, molecular, and supramolecular scales.

Benefits of liquid nano urea:

Fertilizers in nano form provide a targeted supply of nutrients to crops, as they are absorbed by the stomata, pores found on the epidermis of leaves.
Reduces the unbalanced and indiscriminate use of conventional urea.
Increases crop productivity.
Reduces soil, water, and air pollution.

Nano urea liquid IFFCO

In 2021, the Indian Farmers Fertiliser Cooperative Limited (IFFCO) launched the Nano Urea Liquid, a nutrient to provide nitrogen to plants as an alternative to the conventional urea.
IFFCO Nano Urea Liquid was developed to replace conventional urea and it could curtail the requirement of the same by at least 50%.
It contains 40,000 ppm of nitrogen in a 500 ml bottle which is equivalent to the impact of nitrogen nutrient provided by one bag of conventional urea

Nano urea fertilizer: Why important

India is the second-largest consumer of urea in the world but only the third-largest producer.
India is dependent on imports to meet its urea requirements.
During 2019-20, the production of urea was only 244 LMT (lakh metric tonnes) as against the consumption volume of 336 lakh metric tonnes leaving a gap of over 91 LMT.

Way Ahead:

Liquid Nano urea has the potential to improve crop yields and reduce input costs for farmers, and subsidy bills for the government.
However, analysing long-term impacts including on the yield of the crops, nutritional quality and bio-safety requires further research.

MCQs about Nano Liquid Urea

Question 1: What is the primary goal of Nano Urea Liquid introduced by IFFCO?

A) To reduce the need for traditional urea completely
B) To provide an alternative to conventional urea that is harmful to the environment
C) To replace all forms of agricultural fertilizers
D) To eliminate the need for nitrogen supplementation in plants

Question 2: What is the main environmental concern associated with traditional urea use in agriculture?

A) Excessive nitrogen absorption by plants
B) Release of excess oxygen into the atmosphere
C) Dispersion of urea in soil and groundwater
D) Emission of carbon dioxide during plant growth

Question 3: Where was the first Nano Urea developed by IFFCO?

A) New Delhi, India
B) Mumbai, India
C) Kalol, Gujarat, India
D) Bangalore, India

Question 4: What benefit does Nano Urea Liquid offer to plants compared to traditional nitrogen supplementation methods?

A) It provides more nutrients to plants
B) It reduces the need for water
C) It is absorbed through the roots
D) It is absorbed through stomata on the leaves

Question 5: What is one of the challenges associated with the adoption of Nano Urea Liquid?

A) High production cost
B) Lack of acceptance among farmers
C) Unavailability in rural areas
D) Insufficient supply of conventional urea