While urea has long been the most widely used nitrogenous fertiliser in the state, experts warn that its overuse degrades soil health, contaminates groundwater, and poses risks to human health.
In a move aimed at promoting sustainable agriculture and protecting public health, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has announced an incentive scheme for farmers who reduce their dependence on urea fertiliser. The state government will provide an incentive of ₹800 per bag of urea saved to cultivators who adopt alternative practices and minimise its use.
The decision comes amid growing concerns over the indiscriminate use of chemical fertilisers in agriculture and its suspected links to rising cancer cases in parts of Andhra Pradesh. While urea has long been the most widely used nitrogenous fertiliser in the state, experts warn that its overuse degrades soil health, contaminates groundwater, and poses risks to human health.
Chief Minister Naidu has directed officials to conduct a detailed study on the incidence of cancer in districts such as West Godavari, East Godavari, and Krishna, where reports have suggested unusually high cases. He emphasised the need to assess whether the overuse of fertilisers like urea is a contributing factor and said corrective measures would follow based on the findings.
Under the new scheme, farmers will receive financial incentives to adopt natural farming practices, organic inputs, and balanced fertiliser use. The government hopes the initiative will encourage farmers to transition towards more sustainable cultivation methods without compromising productivity. Naidu stressed that the incentive should not be viewed as a subsidy but as a reward for adopting practices that safeguard both human health and the environment.
Awareness Campaigns, Training
The announcement has been welcomed by agricultural experts and farmer organisations, who have long highlighted the dangers of excessive chemical inputs. According to state officials, Andhra Pradesh has one of the highest rates of fertiliser consumption in India. The introduction of a cash incentive is expected to nudge farmers towards alternatives like green manures, bio-fertilisers, and natural farming, which the government has already been promoting in several districts.
Officials also underlined that the scheme could help reduce the state’s fertiliser import burden while improving long-term soil fertility. Excessive urea use, they noted, often leads to soil nitrogen imbalance, lower crop resilience, and declining yields over time.
Beyond the immediate incentive, the government is exploring awareness campaigns and training programmes for farmers to demonstrate the benefits of reduced chemical fertiliser use. Extension officers will work closely with farmer groups to monitor progress and ensure that the scheme achieves its intended objectives.
Naidu stated that the government’s vision is not only to reduce harmful fertiliser usage but also to make Andhra Pradesh a pioneer in natural farming practices. He added that protecting farmer livelihoods while addressing public health concerns would remain central to his administration’s agricultural policy.
The scheme marks a significant step towards sustainable farming in Andhra Pradesh, where balancing productivity, farmer income, and public health has become a pressing challenge. By offering direct incentives, the government is betting on behavioural change that could reshape farming practices in the state and potentially serve as a model for other regions grappling with similar issues.
