• The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has approved the Fixation of Nutrient Based Subsidy (NBS) rates for Phosphatic and Potassic (P&K) fertilizers for the year 2017-18.
• Government has been implementing Nutrient Based Subsidy (NBS) Policy for decontrolled P&K fertilizers.
• Under this policy, the subsidy on Phosphatic and Potassic (P&K) fertilizers is announced by the Government on annual basis for each nutrient i.e., Nitrogen (N), Phosphorous (P), Potash (K) and Sulphur (S) on per kg basis which is converted into subsidy per tonne depending upon the nutrient content in each grade of the fertilizers.
• These rates are determined taking into account the international and domestic prices of P&K fertilizers, exchange rate, inventory level in the country etc.
• This is in continuation with the reforms being undertaken in the fertilizers sector over the past two and a half years including DBT for subsidy payment, neem coating of Urea, reduction in MRP of P&K fertilizers to promote balanced use of nutrients, removal of minimum production criteria for manufacturers of Single Super Phosphate (SSP).

About Single Super Phosphate:

Single superphosphate (SSP) was the first commercial mineral fertilizer, and it led to the development of the modern plant nutrient industry. This material was once the most commonly used fertilizer, but other phosphorus (P) fertilizers have largely replaced SSP because of its relatively low P content.

1. Features

• SSP is one of the cheapest forms of phosphate
• Supplies sulphate sulphur and calcium.
• The ratio of phosphorus and sulphur suits many crop and pasture needs.
• Both the phosphorus and sulphur are in readily available forms.
• Can be blended with other fertiliser products (except Urea & DAP)
• Can be stored easily for long periods, without taking up moisture.
• Contains calcium and sulphur (mostly as gypsum) and helps keep soil in good shape by maintaining soil structure.
• SSP provides a balance of P, S and Ca that mimics pasture growth requirements and is the best balanced P, S and Ca fertiliser for Australian pastures.

2. Manufacture

Single Superphosphate is produced by reacting naturally occurring phosphate rock with sulphuric acid. This process converts insoluble phosphates into forms more readily available to plants.

Phosphate Rock  + Sulphuric Acid → Single Superphosphate

Impact Fertilisers’ SSP manufacturing process uses blends of various rock phosphate rock sources. Critical steps in the process include:

• Grinding the Phosphate Rock to the correct size
• Accurately metering the Phosphate Rock, Sulphuric Acid, and water
• Mixing together thoroughly
• Time for the reactions to occur

The reacted material is fed into a granulation drum and across a screening process to produce granulated Single Superphosphate.

The Single Superphosphate is then stored for a period of weeks to allow further reactions to occur within the product to maximise the proportion of available phosphate in the commercial product.
The cured Single Superphosphate is dried and screened prior to dispatch.

3. Uses

The product is a low cost source of phosphorus and sulphur in a wide range of pasture  situations. SSP is a traditional product for supplying phosphorus and sulphur to pastures, the main two nutrients required for pasture production. Generally mixed with Sulphate of Ammonia and Muriate of Potash, but can be blended with other fertilisers.

4. Storage and handling

• Can be stored for relatively long periods (0 – 6 months).
• Does not take up moisture from the air.
• Can be used in a wide range of spreading and sowing equipment.

5. Restrictions

• Particles may deteriorate in time so long-term storage (> 6 months) is not recommended.
• Do not mix with Urea, DAP or products with a low critical humidity as products will react and become gluggy.
• The portion of finer particles may cause problems such as blockages and uneven flow in some air-seeders designed for high analysis products.
• Do not store in silos.