Nanotechnologybased products to reduce use of fertilisers

Agriculture minister Prabhu Lal Saini said that a private company has offered nanotechnology-based products to make crops pest-free and to increase production by reducing the use of fertilisers. A Gujaratbased company gave a presentation of its products, which the agriculture universities will use on farms in agriculture research centres and centres of excellence on an experimental basis to know the results, he said.

He said, “The products offered by the company are tested by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research and Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, but still we will test these products on our government farms and will take a decision.”

Saini said using nanotechnology-based products will certainly help in reducing expenditure on pesticides and fertilizers and will also help in maintaining soil health and quality of agricultural produce will improve.

He said that nanotechnologybased pesticide is made from the extract of coconut, soy, potato, sugarcane, corn and vegetables. This product is pure and environment-friendly and the best part is that it will kill only the enemy pests and not friendly insects.

Similarly, another product made from the extract of vegetables and cereals reduces the consumption of fertilisers by 40%.

JAIPUR: