India’s nano-fertiliser programme is stepping into high gear, with seven operational Nano Urea plants now clocking a combined annual production capacity of 27.22 crore bottles (500 ml each). Alongside, three Nano DAP plants are already in place, adding 7.64 crore bottles to the nation’s sustainable nutrient portfolio.

Since their commercial debut, 10.68 crore bottles of Nano Urea and 2.75 crore bottles of Nano DAP have been sold across India’s farmlands – from intensively cultivated belts to tribal-dominated regions. And the capacity curve is still rising: three more Nano Fertiliser plants are in the pipeline, collectively expected to add 17 crore bottles per annum once commissioned.

While the Government of India is not directly building these plants, it is orchestrating a nationwide adoption strategy. The Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare (DA&FW) has urged states to push nano-fertiliser usage through extension networks, integrated into Kharif 2024 and Rabi 2024–25 plans, and embedded in demonstration programmes under NFSM and NMEO.

The promotion toolkit spans awareness campaigns, field demonstrations, webinars, regional-language films, and Kisan Sammelans, with product availability anchored at Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samridhi Kendras (PMKSKs). Nano Urea now features in the monthly supply plan of the Department of Fertilizers, ensuring steady market flow.

Innovation is meeting distribution. Farmers are being equipped for drone-based foliar application and provided battery-operated sprayers at retail points, with custom-hiring services run by village-level entrepreneurs. The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has backed this shift, hosting a national campaign on Efficient and Balanced Fertiliser Use.

In a bid to ensure every agro-climatic zone gets hands-on exposure, the Department of Fertilizers, in collaboration with industry, has launched the Maha Abhiyan for Nano DAP adoption and parallel Nano Urea Plus demonstration drives across 100 districts.

“Nano-fertilisers represent not just an input shift, but a systemic leap for Indian agriculture – reducing bulk import dependency, cutting logistics costs, and improving nutrient-use efficiency,” said Union Minister of State for Chemicals and Fertilizers, Anupriya Patel, in a written statement to the Rajya Sabha.

India’s nano-fertiliser playbook is emerging as a model of industry-led manufacturing, government-facilitated adoption, and technology-enabled deployment—signalling that the next revolution in plant nutrition may well fit in the palm of a farmer’s hand.