PM Modi launched Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Jan Urvarak Pariyojana

PM Modi launched Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Jan Urvarak Pariyojana: At the Indian Agricultural Research Institute in New Delhi, the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, inaugurated the PM Kisan Samman Sammelan 2022. As part of the Ministry of Chemicals & Fertilizers, the Prime Minister opened 600 Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samruddhi Kendras (PMKSK). The Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Jan Urvarak Pariyojana – One Nation One Fertilizer program was also introduced by the prime minister during the event. The Prime Minister also launched “Indian Edge,” an online magazine about fertiliser, at the event.

What is Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Jan Urvarak Pariyojana?

• According to a statement from the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers, One Nation One Fertilizer will be implemented by introducing “Single Brand for Fertilizers and People” under the “Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janurvarak Pariyojana” fertiliser subsidy program.
• Under “One Nation One Fertiliser” scheme, companies are only permitted to show their name, trademark, logo, and other important product information on one-third of their bags. The “Bharat” brand and the Bharatiya Jan Fertilizer Project logo will be shown on the remaining two-thirds of the space.
• Both public and private sector companies are covered by the program.
• Urea, Di-Ammonium Phosphate (DAP), Murate of Potash (MOP), and Nitrogen Phosphorus Potassium (NPK) are all sold under the same brand name, Bharat Urea, Bharat DAP, Bharat MOP, and Bharat NPK, respectively, to all fertiliser companies, state trade organisations, and fertiliser marketing institutions.
• This scheme will ensure that fertiliser brands are uniform across the country.

What are the drawbacks of the scheme?

• Companies that produce fertiliser will be discouraged from engaging in marketing and brand-promotion efforts. They will only serve as the government’s contracted importers and manufacturers.
• The decision could be detrimental to the fertiliser industry because brands, in addition to differentiating products, also aid in establishing a company’s reputation among farmers. Fertilizer firms engage in a variety of extension efforts, including field-level demonstrations, crop surveys, and other events where their brands are prominently displayed and help to connect with farmers. Now everything will stop.
• Currently, if a bag or batch of fertiliser does not match the required standards, the manufacturer is held accountable. However, that may now be totally transferred to the government. Politically, the idea may backfire rather than aid the ruling party.