Improving efficiency of fertilizer use in India to enhance food security and reduce pollution
India faces challenges in fertilizer use efficiency, impacting food security and causing pollution. Highly dependent on imported fuel for urea production and almost entirely on imported phosphatic fertilizers, India's fertilizer subsidies are substantial but largely wasted. Inefficient and unbalanced use depletes soil organic matter, reduces water holding capacity, and threatens crop yields, creating a "fertilizer trap." The article advocates for moving beyond supply-side management to boost efficiency by promoting green manure, pulse-cereal rotations, and recycling manure/compost. It also highlights the lack of inter-ministerial coordination and procurement policies that favor rice, wheat, and sugarcane, hindering diversification.
Key Points
- India's heavy reliance on imported fuel for urea and complete dependence on imported phosphatic fertilizers pose a significant economic and food security challenge.
- Inefficient and unbalanced fertilizer use leads to soil degradation, water pollution, and reduced crop yields, creating a "fertilizer trap."
- The government's subsidies are largely ineffective in improving efficiency, and neem-coated urea has not fully prevented nitrogen loss.
- There is a critical lack of inter-ministerial coordination and procurement policies that disincentivize crop diversification, pushing farmers into fertilizer-intensive crops.
- Solutions include promoting green manure, pulse-cereal rotations, recycling organic waste, and revising fertilizer recommendations to prioritize organic basal doses.
Exam Facts
- Over two-thirds of the ₹2 lakh crore annual fertilizer subsidies are lost.
- The Prime Minister called for halving fertilizer usage within five years in November 2017.
- The Dalhan Aatmanirbharta Mission (October 2025) aims for 100% procurement of pulses.
- The Interministerial National Nitrogen Steering Committee's tenure expired without action.
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