Improving efficiency of fertilizer use in India, Pg7

Key Highlights:

• India aims for self-reliance in urea production while currently importing the rest of its needs.
• Over two-thirds of the ₹2 lakh crore spent on annual fertilizer subsidies is lost to pollution.
• Inefficient fertilizer use damages soil, water, air, human health, biodiversity, and contributes to climate change.
• The Dalhan Aatmanirbharta Mission, launched in October 2025, allocated ₹11,440 crore to increase pulse production.

Detailed Insights:

• India's urea industry relies heavily on imported fuel, while phosphatic fertilizers are almost entirely imported due to a lack of mineral rock phosphate.
• The 'fertilizer trap' describes how excessive fertilizer use depletes soil organic matter, reducing water and nutrient holding capacity, which leads to increased fertilizer demand.
• The government's nutrient-based subsidy failed to improve efficiencies or reduce demand because urea was excluded from the scheme.
• Despite the Prime Minister's call in November 2017 to halve fertilizer usage, consumption has increased due to a lack of inter-ministerial coordination.
• Government procurement limited to rice, wheat, and sugarcane encourages farmers to grow these crops, which consume over two-thirds of India's urea, disrupting traditional crop rotations.
• Pulse-cereal rotations can reduce fertilizer needs, as legumes fix atmospheric nitrogen and require less urea than cereals.
• The area for sowing pulses grew only 1.26% according to April 2026 data, calling for better implementation of the Dalhan Aatmanirbharta Mission.
• Tripling the recycling of manure, compost, and biochar can replace fertilizers, boost soil health, and reduce reliance on chemical inputs.
• Coordinated crop trials show that up to half of the recommended fertilizer doses can be replaced with organic matter without yield loss.
• Reviving the Interministerial National Nitrogen Steering Committee is crucial for inter-sectoral coordination to implement sustainable agricultural practices.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Urea: A nitrogen-rich compound used globally as a fertilizer.
• Phosphatic Fertilizers: Fertilizers containing phosphorus, essential for plant growth and development.
• Nutrient-Based Subsidy: A subsidy scheme where the government provides support based on the nutrient content of fertilizers.