Tata Chemicals is a pioneer in the field of crop- and region-specific customised fertilisers that provide balanced crop nutrition to the soil, boost the productivity of crops and improve the overall quality of the yield.
The inadequate and indiscriminate use of fertilisers, combined with the skewed usage of organic fertilisers, has led to excessive mining of secondary and micro-nutrients from the soil. Over time, this creates a nutrient imbalance which, in turn, poses a threat to crop productivity and soil health, especially when no steps are taken to replenish the lost micro-nutrients in the soil.
The birth of an innovation
TCL started voicing concerns and began its policy advocacy efforts for a new category of fertilisers — customised fertilisers — that would help overcome these challenges. These fertilisers were devised on the following principles:
The 'Farmoola' for success
Sold under the brand name Paras Farmoola, the fertilisers are custom-created for selected crops in a specific region, following extensive soil, crop and water sample analysis. Paras Farmoola applications promote sustainable agriculture by maintaining soil health and providing the best nutritional package for better plant growth and premium quality output.
Tacit knowledge has been integrated with scientific research (QUEFTS and STCR) to ensure efficiency of Paras Farmoola fertilisers. They have been rigorously tested on farmer fields, and at 12 Krishi Vigyaan Kendras by conducting more than 300 research experiments. Over 20,000 samples were collected from 25 districts of western Uttar Pradesh for analysis. These field trials were conducted on crops such as paddy, wheat, potato, sugarcane, maize and mentha and reported a significant increase in yield over traditional fertilisers.
Key benefits
- Enhances crop productivity with better benefit to cost ratio
- Is a one-time application of all macro and micro nutrients, except nitrogen, and is hence convenient to use
- Promotes balanced application of nutrients
- Is granulated to ensure uniform distribution of nutrients
The company has established a state-of-the-art production facility for these fertilisers at Babrala in the Bhimnagar district of Uttar Pradesh. The facility has a manufacturing capacity of 130,000 MT
Farmer testimonials
Shaif Ahmed
Potato farmer (retired school teacher)
After conducting trials of customised fertilisers on my potato plot, I realised that we were following an unbalanced use of fertilisers for our potato crop. Despite lower dosage of CF, at the time of harvesting, I noticed that potato tubers from trial plots were of uniform size and had no uneven or small-sized tubers at all. The shine on tubers was prominent. The yield from the trial plot was more by 25 percent as compared to the normal plot. In one sentence, I would say that customised fertilisers have all the required nutrients applied as basal in balanced proportions, which improves fertiliser uptake of my crops, thereby enhancing yield. It also saves labour and time.
Ranveer Singh
Wheat farmer
Customised fertilisers are developed based on the soil-testing results of our area. All the required nutrients for my wheat crop, according to my soil conditions, are now available in a single product. I don’t have to buy different fertilisers for different nutrients. There is an increase in yield as well as the quality of wheat from the trial plots in which customised fertilisers were administered. There were more panicles in the plant. The number of grains in the panicles was also more. I am completely satisfied with the trial results. I am anxiously waiting for the product to come to the market.
Manjeet Singh
Farmer
Customised fertilisers are developed for specific crops and specific regions. The formulation for wheat is different from that of potato, which, in turn, is different from that of sugarcane. Customisation provides convenience as I can now go to the shop and ask for a particular formulation/grade for the crop I am cultivating. I don’t have to calculate the individual quantities of DAP, MOP, sulphur, zinc, etc., for my wheat crop. There are no hassles of mixing different types and forms of fertilisers. Customised fertilisers available in granule form will provide all the required nutrients for my wheat crop in correct and uniform proportions all across my field. I have benefited from this fertiliser to a great extent.
Vijay Tyagi
Sugarcane farmer
We don’t know the exact quantity of micro-nutrients to be used in sugarcane. It is very difficult for us to calculate and mix all required nutrients in the right proportion. All the required nutrients for sugarcane are available in a single bag of customised fertiliser, which, in turn, helped us in saving time and labour. I have noticed that in the trial plots where customised fertiliser was applied, the number of tillers were more. Height as well as girth of cane was more compared to normal field. Sugarcane recovery percentage also increased 15–20 per cent in the canes of trial plots. Customised fertilisers are very effective.