Where fossil fuel shocks hurt India's farms, Pg17

Key Highlights:

• In 2025-26, tractor sales in India reached 1.16 million units, contrasting sharply with approximately 5,000 tractors at the time of Independence.
• Consumption of NPK fertilizers exceeded 32.9 million tonnes in 2024-25, a significant rise from 69,800 tonnes in 1950-51.
• The Green Revolution led to increased use of high-analysis fertilizers like urea and DAP, shifting away from traditional fertilizers like ammonium sulphate.
• India's dependence on imported natural gas and other inputs for fertilizer production makes its agriculture sector vulnerable to global supply disruptions, such as those arising from conflicts in West Asia.

Detailed Insights:

• Indian agriculture has undergone a significant transformation from being primarily bovine-based to heavily reliant on fossil fuel-based inputs like tractors and chemical fertilizers.
• The share of draught animals in total farm power availability has declined drastically, from over half in the early 1970s to just 2.3% in 2024-25, indicating a "de-bullockisation" of agriculture.
• The Green Revolution promoted the use of high-yielding crop varieties that require substantial chemical fertilizers and pesticides, further increasing the dependence on fossil fuels.
• Disruptions in global supply chains, such as the potential closure of the Strait of Hormuz, can lead to price spikes and shortages of fertilizers, impacting India's food security.
• The use of tractors and combine harvesters, which run on diesel, and the reliance on petroleum-based raw materials for pesticides, further contribute to the vulnerability of Indian agriculture to fossil fuel shocks.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Green Revolution: A period of agricultural transformation in India that introduced high-yielding crop varieties and increased use of fertilizers and irrigation.
• NPK Fertilizers: Fertilizers containing nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K), essential nutrients for plant growth.
• Fossil Fuels: Combustible geological deposits of organic matter, such as oil, natural gas, and coal, used to power machinery and produce fertilizers.