Consider the following statements in reference to the fertilizers sector in India: 1. Sulphur-coated Urea, also commonly called Neam-coated Urea will help in addressing the sulphur deficiency of the soil 2. Fertilizer Flying Squads (FFS) was constituted to provide crop-wise recommendations of fertilizers for individual farms. How many of the statements given above are correct?

• Sulphur coated urea is urea fertilizer coated with elemental sulphur. It provides a slow release of nitrogen and sulphur to plants.
• The sulphur coating helps address sulphur deficiency in the soil, which is essential for plant growth as sulphur is a critical nutrient for protein synthesis, enzyme function, and chlorophyll production.
• Neem coated urea is urea coated with neem oil or neem extracts. The primary purpose of neem coating is to act as a nitrification inhibitor, reducing the rate at which nitrogen is converted to nitrate in the soil. This minimizes nitrogen losses due to leaching and volatilization, ensuring a more sustained release of nitrogen to crops.
• While neem-coated urea improves nitrogen use efficiency and reduces environmental impact, it does not address sulphur deficiency. Hence, statement 1 is incorrect.
• The Fertilizer Flying Squads were formed to monitor and prevent the misuse or diversion of subsidized fertilizers in India. Hence, statement 2 is incorrect.

Key Objectives of Fertilizer Flying Squads

• Monitor Fertilizer Distribution
• Prevent Diversion
• Check Malpractices
• Ensure Proper Use of Subsidies

Additional Information

• Providing crop wise fertilizer recommendations for individual farms is typically handled by agricultural extension services, soil testing labs, and agronomists.
• These services involve soil testing, analysing the nutrient content, and giving customized recommendations based on the specific requirements of the crop and the farm.