Fertilisers are the inorganic amendments that supplement the required nutrients to crop plants and lead to increased yields. Fertiliser use started increasing drastically soon after the Green Revolution to increase food production to become a self-reliant country. Their usage extended to other crops, as many organisations in the public and private sectors started releasing new hybrid varieties in major fields as well as horticultural crops.
When fertilisers are applied in a balanced manner, plants have their fill, grow strong and produce healthy yields, when applied in excess fertilisers do not increase the yield, waste critical money, pollute water, degrade soil and release nitrous oxide, a greenhouse gas that is 270 times more potent than carbon dioxide at trapping heat.
Current scenario
During FY2023-24, the production of urea was 31.41 million tonnes (mt) and that of NP/NPK complex fertilisers was 9.55 mt with an increase of 10.2 per cent and 2.7 per cent, respectively, over 2022-23. India ranks second in consumption of fertilisers, and despite increasing domestic fertiliser production, about 30 per cent of fertiliser requirements are still met through imports. During times of uncertainty, war or trade crises, heavy reliance on imports could cause supply disruptions and price fluctuations.
As per Fertiliser Association of India, fertiliser nutrient (NPK) usage amounts to 141.2 kilograms per hectare of land. Further, the difference between fertiliser production and consumption in 2023–2024 was 3.43 mt for phosphorus and 3.35 MMT for nitrogen.
The budget allocation for fertiliser subsidy in India during the 2023-24 budget was ₹1,75,103 crore, out of which urea alone grabbed ₹1,31,100 crore. This made urea more pocket-friendly to small and marginal farmers; on the other hand, it discouraged balanced fertiliser usage. Before 2015, China also implemented extensive fertiliser subsidies to enhance crop production, but these policies led to widespread over-application of fertilisers.
The fertiliser paradox
Many scientific reports reveal a painful story of highly imbalanced fertiliser usage with an average N:P:K ratio of 6.7:2.7:1, far from the recommended 4:2:1, accounting for 67.5 per cent and 35 per cent excess N and P usage, respectively. This deviation has depleted other essential macro- and micronutrients, resulting in declining productivity and overall soil health. Moreover, fertiliser use efficiency in India is also critically low: 30–35 per cent for nitrogen, 15–20 per cent for phosphorus, and 50–60 per cent for potassium, meaning a huge part of applied nutrients is lost to the environment, further contributing to groundwater contamination, eutrophication of water bodies, and the release of nitrous oxide, a potent greenhouse gas that worsens climate change, disrupts soil microbial ecosystems, reducing organic carbon levels and impairing natural nutrient cycling processes. FAO has also reported several adverse health effects on humans and animals due to the overuse of fertilisers.
Considering these scientific and economic challenges, a new fertiliser policy is imperative.
Way forward
By 2050, India’s population is projected to exceed 1.6 billion, requiring a 70 per cent increase in food production to ensure national food security. This demand will put immense pressure on the agricultural sector, particularly on soil health, water resources, and input efficiency. Fertilisers, being a cornerstone of modern agriculture, must be managed more sustainably and scientifically to meet this challenge.
A policy with more emphasis on soil health, balanced nutrient application, sustainable agriculture, climate resilience, inclusion of nano-fertilisers and bio-fertilisers, and widespread adoption of new age technologies like AI, ML, Remote sensing, GIS, Block chain etc.
There is an immediate need for the revision of the existing policy to ensure the sustainable, efficient, and equitable use of fertilisers that support soil health and food security. The following key components may be emphasised in the revised policy.
Farmer’s education and capacity building
● Awareness programmes should focus on educating farmers about the importance of balanced nutrient application, the risks of overusing chemical fertilisers, and the benefits of alternatives like bio-fertilisers and nano-fertilisers.
● Training sessions, field demonstrations, and mobile-based advisory services can help farmers understand soil health reports and apply fertilisers based on crop-specific needs.
Attracting talent towards agriculture
● Make agriculture more appealing, rewarding, and ready for the future to attract young, skilled and tech-savvy talent.
● Promote start-ups, offer innovation grants and incubation support for agri-entrepreneurs working on smart fertilisation, precision farming and soil health monitoring.
Integrating CSR into the new fertiliser policy
By aligning CSR initiatives with the goals of a new fertiliser policy, companies can play a pivotal role in transforming India’s agricultural landscape while fulfilling their ethical and social obligations. A provision that will allocate CSR funds to educational and entrepreneurial activities.
Reducing import dependency
● Identifying alternatives for fertiliser imports.
● Increasing domestic fertiliser production
● Development of alternate nutrient sources using indigenous resources.
Reforming fertiliser subsidies
● Supply of fertilisers based on land holding, soil type and crop requirements
● DBT of subsidies to farmers instead of fertiliser companies may bring about optimised and balanced fertiliser use.
● Incentivising farmers based on soil health, balanced nutrient management and sustainable practices.
The author is, Principal, Shri Vile Parle Kelavani Mandal’s College of Agriculture, Shirpur, Maharashtra.