Question 18 from UPSC CSE 2016 - Current
Affairs

Question

Why does the Government of India promote the use of 'Neem-coated Urea' in agriculture?

IASCODEX · Accepted Answer

Correct Option: B. Neem coating slows down the rate of dissolution of urea in the soil.

Strategy: Identify the primary purpose of neem-coated urea, which is to enhance nitrogen use efficiency. Evaluate options based on this principle.

- Select the option that aligns with improving efficiency through slow nitrogen release.
- Eliminate options that describe incorrect mechanisms, such as increasing nitrogen fixation.
- Discard options with absolute or factually incorrect statements.
- Reject options that focus on secondary properties, like being a weedicide, instead of the main purpose.

Key Info: The Government of India promotes Neem-Coated Urea (NCU) in agriculture to enhance Nitrogen Use Efficiency (NUE) and mitigate environmental issues. NCU is regular urea treated with neem oil.

**Mechanism of Action:** Neem oil acts as a nitrification inhibitor. It slows down the hydrolysis of urea and the subsequent nitrification process (conversion of ammonium to nitrites and nitrates by soil bacteria). This controlled, slow release of nitrogen ensures its availability to crops over a longer period.

**Benefits of Neem Coating:**
- **Slow Nitrogen Release:** The primary benefit is that nitrogen is released gradually, matching the crop's nutrient uptake pattern and reducing losses.
- **Reduced Nitrogen Losses:** It significantly reduces losses due to:
  - **Volatilization:** Less ammonia gas is lost to the atmosphere.
  - **Leaching:** Less nitrate nitrogen leaches into groundwater.
  - **Denitrification:** Reduced conversion of nitrates to gaseous nitrogen (N2) and nitrous oxide (N2O), a potent greenhouse gas, under anaerobic conditions.
- **Increased Crop Yield:** By making nitrogen available for a longer duration, NUE improves, leading to a potential increase in crop yields (e.g., 15-20%).
- **Environmental Protection:** Minimizes groundwater contamination and contributes to reducing greenhouse gas emissions (N2O).
- **Pest Deterrent:** Neem has natural insecticidal and nematicidal properties, offering some protection against soil-borne pests.
- **Reduced Diversion:** It helps check the diversion of urea for non-agricultural (industrial) purposes, as neem-coated urea is not suitable for such uses.

**Government Policy:** The Government of India mandated the production of 100% neem-coated urea by all urea manufacturers in 2015 to ensure these benefits reach farmers and improve agricultural sustainability.

IASCODEX · Answer

Option A: Release of neem oil in the soil increases nitrogen fixation by the soil microorganisms.

IASCODEX · Answer

Option C: Nitrous oxide, which is a greenhouse gas, is not at all released into the atmosphere by crop fields.

IASCODEX · Answer

Option D: It is a combination of a weedicide and a fertilizer for particular crops.