Haveri
Due to a shortage of granular urea fertilizer in Karnataka, agricultural experts are encouraging farmers to use liquid nano urea as a more efficient and sustainable alternative. Responding to this guidance, farmers in Savanur taluk, Haveri district, have begun using nano urea and nano DAP in place of traditional fertilizers.
Farmers across the state have been struggling to get the required quantity of granular urea, especially as crops like cowpea, grown on nearly 1.93 lakh hectares in the district, turned yellow due to continuous rain. With traditional urea in short supply, officials from the Agriculture Department have stepped in to promote nano-based fertilizers.
Nano urea is considered more effective because it delivers nutrients directly to the plant through foliar spray, ensuring faster absorption and reducing fertilizer wastage. Unlike granular urea, which is applied to the soil and takes time to dissolve, nano urea is sprayed directly on the leaves, keeping soil fertility intact and reducing the chance of runoff or weed uptake.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi had earlier urged farmers to minimize urea use and switch to eco-friendly alternatives to prevent long-term soil degradation. Acting on this advice, farmers in Savanoor have adopted nano fertilizers, which require less labor and are quicker to apply.
Local farmers note that while applying granular urea demands time and manpower—both hard to find—spraying liquid nano fertilizers is simpler and more efficient. They also acknowledge that excessive use of granular fertilizers in the past has harmed soil health. In contrast, nano urea not only avoids these issues but also supports better crop growth. Farmers say they are confident in this shift, especially with the backing of agricultural experts promoting nano solutions for sustainable farming.