Question

Which of the following fertilisers are covered under the Government of India's Nutrient Based Subsidy scheme?

1. Diammonium Phosphate (DAP)

2. Monoammonium Phosphate (MAP)

3. Triple Super Phosphate (TSP) 

4. Single Super Phosphate (SSP) fertilizers

Select the correct answer using the codes given below.

1. 1 and 2 only
2. 1 only
3. 2 and 3 only
4. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Answer 1

Correct Answer - Option 4 : 1, 2, 3 and 4

The correct answer is 1, 2, 3 and 4.

• Department of Fertilisers, Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilisers, deals with the implementation of Nutrient Based Subsidy Scheme being implemented w.e.f. 1 April 2010.
• Under the NBS Policy, a fixed rate of subsidy (in Rs. per Kg basis) is announced on nutrients namely Nitrogen (N), Phosphate (P), Potash (K) and Sulphur (S) by the Government on annual basis.   
• The per Kg subsidy rates on the nutrient N, P, K, S is converted into per Tonne subsidy on the various P&K fertilizers covered under NBS Policy.
• Any variant of the fertilizers covered under the subsidy scheme with micronutrients namely Boron and Zinc, is eligible for a separate per tonne subsidy to encourage their application along with primary nutrients.
• At present 22 grades of P&K fertilizers namely Diammonium Phosphate (DAP), Monoammonium Phosphate (MAP), Triple Super Phosphate (TSP), Single Super Phosphate (SSP), Ammonium Sulphate and 16 grades of NPKS complex fertilizers are covered under the NBS Policy. Hence option 4 is the correct answer.
• Under the NBS regime, MRP of P&K fertilizers has been left open and fertilizer manufacturers/marketers are allowed to fix the MRP at reasonable rates.
• Diammonium Phosphate (DAP), Monoammonium Phosphate (MAP), Triple Super Phosphate (TSP) and Single Super Phosphate (SSP) fertilizers, derived from naturally occurring phosphate ore, are the most widely used products for delivery of the essential plant nutrient phosphorous (P) to the soil.
• DAP and MAP also contain nitrogen (N), another essential plant nutrient.
• Millions of tons of these phosphate fertilizer products are used worldwide to grow the quantity of food needed to support an increasing global population.