Centre yet to disburse incentives under PM-PRANAM scheme, JPNadda tells Parliament

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Centre Yet to Disburse Incentives Under PM-PRANAM Scheme, JPNadda Tells Parliament

New Delhi: Union Minister for Chemicals and Fertilizers, Jagat Prakash Nadda, informed Parliament today that the central government has not yet disbursed any incentives under the Pradhan Mantri PRANAM (PM-PRANAM) scheme. The scheme, aimed at encouraging states and union territories to reduce the use of chemical fertilizers and promote balanced fertilizer use, was launched with the objective of incentivizing them for promoting alternative fertilizers and balanced fertilizer application.

Responding to a question raised in the Lok Sabha, Nadda clarified the current status of the PM-PRANAM scheme's incentive component. While the scheme has been operational, the financial incentives designed to reward states for their efforts in promoting sustainable agricultural practices have not yet been released.

The PM-PRANAM scheme, officially known as the "PM Programme for Restoration, Awareness, Nourishment and Amelioration of Mother-earth," seeks to address the growing concerns surrounding the overuse of chemical fertilizers, which can lead to soil degradation, environmental pollution, and health issues. It proposes a multi-pronged approach, focusing on promoting the use of organic fertilizers, bio-fertilizers, and other alternative nutrient sources.

A key feature of the scheme is the provision of financial incentives to states and union territories that successfully reduce their reliance on chemical fertilizers and demonstrate progress in adopting balanced nutrient management practices. These incentives are intended to act as a catalyst for states to invest in infrastructure, awareness campaigns, and support systems for farmers transitioning towards more sustainable agricultural methods.

However, the minister's statement indicates that the operationalization of the incentive disbursement mechanism is still pending. This raises questions about the pace of implementation and the potential impact on the scheme's effectiveness in motivating state-level action. Experts suggest that timely disbursement of these incentives is crucial to ensure that states remain actively engaged in promoting the scheme's objectives and to provide them with the necessary financial resources to support their initiatives.

The lack of disbursed incentives could also lead to a slowdown in the adoption of alternative fertilizers and balanced fertilizer use at the grassroots level. Farmers often rely on state-level support and encouragement to adopt new practices, and the absence of tangible financial rewards for states might indirectly affect the momentum of such initiatives.

While the reasons for the delay in disbursement were not explicitly detailed in the minister's response, it is likely that the government is in the process of finalizing the modalities, tracking mechanisms, and criteria for assessing the performance of states before releasing the funds. The government has previously emphasized the importance of robust monitoring and evaluation to ensure that the incentives are disbursed to deserving states and that the scheme achieves its intended outcomes.

The agriculture sector in India, which is heavily dependent on fertilizer subsidies, has been grappling with the challenges of unbalanced fertilizer use for a long time. The PM-PRANAM scheme was envisioned as a significant step towards addressing these challenges and fostering a more sustainable agricultural ecosystem. The timely release of incentives is critical for the success of this ambitious program and for encouraging a widespread shift towards environmentally sound agricultural practices across the country.

The opposition and agricultural experts are likely to closely monitor the further developments regarding the disbursement of these incentives, emphasizing the need for swift action to ensure that the PM-PRANAM scheme effectively contributes to improving soil health and promoting sustainable agriculture in India.

Further developments are awaited on when these crucial incentives will be made available to the states, and how this will impact the scheme's progress in the coming months.