Nano Diammonium Phosphate, or Nano-DAP, is a revolutionary agricultural input that holds immense potential for transforming farming practices across varied agro-climatic zones in India. This innovative product is a nanoparticle-based formulation of diammonium phosphate, a widely used fertilizer in the agricultural sector. With its unique properties and enhanced efficacy, Nano-DAP has the capability to significantly improve crop yields, promote sustainable agricultural practices, and contribute to India’s green growth initiatives. Incorporating nanotechnology in the compound makes it non-toxic because of its ‘nano’ size. Due to these benefits, it was included in the Budget of 2024-25 as a strategy to be implemented for Amrit Kaal under the agriculture and food processing section.

Beyond Conventional Fertilizers
One of the key advantages of Nano-DAP lies in its ability to deliver nutrients to plants more efficiently compared to traditional fertilizers. The nano-sized particles have a larger surface area, which allows for better absorption and utilisation of nutrients by plant roots. This means that farmers can achieve higher yields with lower application rates of this compound, reducing the overall environmental impact of fertilizer usage. Additionally, the controlled release properties of Nano-DAP ensure a steady supply of nutrients to the plants over an extended period, minimising nutrient runoff and leaching into water bodies. It is designed to enhance soil health and fertility. By promoting microbial activity and improving soil structure, it helps create an environment conducive to plant growth. This is particularly beneficial in regions with degraded soils or high levels of salinity, where conventional fertilizers may exacerbate existing soil problems. By revitalising the soil, Nano-DAP enables farmers to cultivate a wider range of crops and increase overall productivity.

Incorporating Nano-DAP into agricultural practices contribute to water conservation efforts. By reducing the need for excessive irrigation and minimising nutrient runoff, it helps conserve water resources and promotes more efficient use of irrigation infrastructure. This is helpful in water-stressed regions where sustainable water management is essential for agricultural sustainability and probable potential to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions. Conventional fertilizers, due to excess emissions of nitrous oxide, contribute to climate change; however, induction of Nano-DAP will be helpful in achieving India's pledge to reducing its carbon footprint.

A Multifaceted Approach
Expanding the application of Nano-DAP to all agro-climatic zones in India holds immense promise for promoting inclusive and sustainable agricultural development. By providing smallholder farmers with access to the advanced technology, it empowers them to improve their livelihoods and enhance food security. Additionally, it can contribute to rural economic growth by increasing agricultural productivity and creating employment opportunities in the agro-input sector. The widespread adoption of Nano-DAP aligns with India's broader green growth agenda, which aims to achieve economic growth while preserving environmental sustainability. By promoting the use of environmentally friendly agricultural inputs, the government can foster a more resilient and sustainable agricultural sector that is better equipped to withstand the challenges of climate change and resource scarcity. This, in turn, can have ripple effects across the economy, driving innovation, and fostering the emergence of green technologies and practices in other sectors as well.

To realise the full potential of Nano-DAP, it is essential to support research and development efforts aimed at optimising its formulation and application techniques. Finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced the expansion of Nano-DAP across various crops in all agro-climatic zones. Additionally, targeted extension services and capacity-building initiatives can help raise awareness about the benefits of Nano-DAP among farmers and facilitate its adoption at the grassroots level. Collaborative partnerships between government agencies, research institutions, and private sector stakeholders can also play a crucial role in scaling up production and distribution networks for it, ensuring widespread availability and affordability for farmers across the country.

Expanding the application of Nano-DAP to all agro-climatic zones in India can also help address the problems posed by climate change. As temperatures rise and weather patterns become increasingly unpredictable, farmers are faced with new challenges in crop production. It offers a potential solution by enhancing the resilience of crops to environmental stressors such as heat, drought, and salinity. It helps plants withstand adverse conditions and maintain productivity even in the face of climate-related issues by improving nutrient uptake and promoting robust root growth. It can reduce the environmental footprint of agriculture by minimising the use of synthetic fertilizers and their associated environmental impacts.

Moving forward with Nano-DAP
Traditional fertilizers, despite their role in boosting crop yields, often leach into the soil, harming the ecosystem. This contamination not only pollutes water bodies but also enters the food chain through bioaccumulation of chemicals in the groundwater system, posing health risks to humans. Nano-DAP, with its targeted nutrient delivery and reduced application rates, offers a more environmentally friendly alternative that helps mitigate these negative effects. Furthermore, India and the world face the daunting challenge of ensuring food security for an increasing population. Nano-DAP offers a sustainable solution to this challenge by maximizing the efficiency of nutrient use and enabling farmers to achieve higher yields on existing agricultural land. By advocating the adoption of Nano-DAP, the government can help ensure a stable and abundant food supply for the growing population, thereby improving food security and reducing the risk of hunger and malnutrition.

Nano-DAP represents a promising innovation with the potential to revolutionise agricultural practices and contribute to green growth in India. By harnessing the power of nanotechnology, this advanced fertilizer offers a sustainable solution to enhance crop productivity, promote soil health, conserve water resources, and mitigate environmental impacts associated with conventional fertilizer use. By expanding its application to all agro-climatic zones and promoting its adoption among smallholder farmers, India can unlock significant economic, social, and environmental benefits, paving the way for a more inclusive and sustainable agricultural future.

Arjun Chaturvedi is a student, and Dr. Barun Kumar Thakur is Associate Professor at Department of Economics at FLAME University, Pune. The views expressed are personal.