New Delhi, January 31 (IANS). The central government has taken strict steps to prevent diversion and misuse of fertilizers during the current crop season. According to an official statement, 14,692 show cause notices were issued, 6,373 licenses were suspended or canceled and 766 FIRs were registered during the Kharif and ongoing Rabi seasons 2025-26 (mid-April-January 2026).
The objective of the government is to protect the interests of farmers and maintain transparency in the national fertilizer supply chain. The government launched a massive campaign by state governments and district-level officials, which included inspections, raids, and legal action. The Department of Fertilizers launched this campaign in collaboration with the Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare.
These proactive and stringent measures ensure timely availability of fertiliser, strengthen market discipline and maintain the reliability of the distribution system across the country, an official statement on Saturday said.
The government also made it clear that the bad effects of unbalanced fertilizer are not limited to the quality of the soil alone. This also increases environmental pollution and can also pose a threat to health.
According to the statement, crops grown in nutrient-deficient soils lack the minerals required for animal fodder, which adversely affects the health and productivity of animals. Thus, nutrient imbalance is a major hindrance to the long-term sustainability and efficiency of farming systems.
The government has promoted balanced fertilization as a key strategy to restore and maintain soil health to promote sustainable agricultural production. Through the ‘Soil Health Card’ scheme, farmers are given complete information about the nutrient status and physical conditions of their land. Guidelines are also given for the correct use of chemical fertilizers, biofertilizers, organic inputs and soil treatment for crops.
Till July 2025, more than 93 thousand farmer training programs, about 6.8 lakh field demonstrations and thousands of awareness campaigns were conducted under this scheme. By mid-November 2025, more than 25.55 crore ‘Soil Health Cards’ had been distributed across the country, showing the huge impact of the scheme in promoting balanced nutrient management.
–IANS
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