India’s Fertiliser Paradox: Need for a New National Fertiliser Policy

Context:

India is the second-largest consumer of fertilisers globally. Despite increased domestic production, 30% of fertilisers are still imported, making India vulnerable to global supply shocks, especially during geopolitical conflicts or trade disruptions.

Key Challenges Highlighted

Overuse and Imbalance

• Average fertiliser use: 141.2 kg/hectare (NPK)
• Current N:P:K usage ratio: 6.7:2.7:1 (vs. recommended 4:2:1)
  • Overuse of Nitrogen (N): 67.5%
  • Overuse of Phosphorus (P): 35%

Low Fertiliser Use Efficiency

• Nitrogen: 30–35%
• Phosphorus: 15–20%
• Potassium: 50–60%

This implies a significant share of nutrients is lost, contributing to soil degradation, groundwater contamination, and climate change through nitrous oxide emissions.

Financial Burden

• FY24 Fertiliser Subsidy: ₹1.75 lakh crore
  • Urea alone: ₹1.31 lakh crore
• Current subsidy regime incentivizes overuse of urea, discouraging balanced nutrient application.

Global Comparison

• India mirrors China’s pre-2015 fertiliser subsidy mistakes, which led to overapplication and environmental degradation.

Recommendations for a New Fertiliser Policy

• Soil Health and Balanced Nutrition
  • Promote bio-fertilisers and nano-fertilisers
  • Encourage crop-specific fertiliser use based on soil health cards
• Farmer Education & Capacity Building
  • Awareness on overuse hazards and benefits of balanced fertilisation
  • Use of mobile-based advisory services, field demos, and training
• Technological Integration
  • Adoption of:
    • AI & Machine Learning
    • Remote Sensing & GIS
    • Blockchain for traceability and subsidy disbursement
• Attract Youth & Startups
  • Innovation grants for agri-entrepreneurs
  • Startups in smart fertilisation and precision agriculture
• CSR Alignment
  • Align Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funds toward agri-education and sustainable nutrient practices
• Fertiliser Subsidy Reforms
  • Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) to farmers, not manufacturers
  • Supply based on landholding, soil type, crop need
  • Incentivise farmers for soil health-based practices
• Reduce Import Dependency
  • Boost domestic fertiliser production
  • Develop alternative nutrient sources using indigenous resources

BL