Major Chemical Fertilizer Categories under FCO
Chemical khad delivers concentrated plant nutrients required for intensive cropping systems. The Fertilizer (Control) Order (FCO) 1985 regulates the quality, nutrient standards, packaging, and maximum retail prices of all commercial fertilizers sold in India.
Primary nitrogenous khad includes Urea (46% N) and Neem Coated Urea; phosphatic sources include Di-Ammonium Phosphate (DAP 18-46-0) and Single Super Phosphate (SSP 16% P2O5); potassic sources center on Muriate of Potash (MOP 60% K2O); and multinutrient complexes include 10-26-26, 12-32-16, and 20-20-0-13.
- Neem Coated Urea: 46% Nitrogen coated with neem oil to retard nitrification and reduce nitrogen leaching losses.
- DAP (18-46-0): Concentrated source of nitrogen and phosphate for basal root establishment.
- MOP (60% K2O): Natural potassium chloride mineral fertilizer enhancing drought tolerance and grain quality.
- Complex NPKs: Granulated multi-nutrient blends delivering balanced macro-elements in each single granule.
Organic Manures and Biological Khad
While chemical fertilizers supply rapid mineral nutrients, organic khad is essential for maintaining physical soil structure, water retention, and microbial ecology. Decomposed organic manures enhance soil organic carbon (SOC) levels.
Key organic manures include well-decomposed Farmyard Manure (FYM), vermicompost, poultry manure, city compost, and pressmud from sugar mills. Green manuring crops (dhaincha and sunnhemp) incorporate high biomass directly into soil before paddy transplanting.
- Farmyard Manure (FYM): Rich in organic matter, improving soil aeration and microbial biodiversity.
- Vermicompost: Earthworm-processed organic compost rich in available plant nutrients and humic acids.
- Biofertilizers: Microbial inoculants (Rhizobium, Azotobacter, PSB) that fix atmospheric nitrogen and solubilize soil phosphate.
Fertilizer DBT System and Balanced Soil Nutrition
The Department of Fertilisers operates the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system through Point of Sale (PoS) machines installed at certified retail fertilizer kiosks. Farmers verify identity via biometric Aadhaar authentication to purchase subsidized khad.
Under the Soil Health Card scheme, farmers are urged to practice 4R nutrient stewardship (Right source, Right rate, Right time, Right place), combining chemical fertilizers with organic manures to prevent soil degradation.
- Aadhaar-Enabled PoS Sales: Subsidized fertilizer sales tracked transparently via electronic point-of-sale machines.
- Integrated Nutrient Management (INM): Balanced combination of chemical fertilizers, organic composts, and biofertilizers.
- Soil Testing Mandate: Base fertilizer application on Soil Health Card recommendations to prevent excessive urea usage.
Official source
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Department of Fertilisers, Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers ↗Related on KisanPe
Common questions
What is the nitrogen percentage in standard agricultural Urea khad?
Standard agricultural Urea khad contains 46% Nitrogen (N) and is mandatory coated with neem oil in India.
What is the difference between chemical khad and organic khad?
Chemical khad supplies concentrated mineral nutrients (N, P, K) rapidly to crops, while organic khad (FYM, compost) builds long-term soil organic carbon, moisture retention, and microbial health.
How does the fertilizer DBT subsidy system operate in India?
Farmers purchase subsidized fertilizers at retail kiosks using biometric Aadhaar authentication on PoS machines, and the government transfers the subsidy directly to fertilizer manufacturing companies.
General guidance, not personal advice. For your farm, ask your local Krishi Vigyan Kendra or agriculture officer.
More Government Schemes & Subsidies guides
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