The Indian government has been dedicated to promoting balanced fertilisation. However, the consumption of urea has spiked, resulting in imbalanced fertilisation, a decrease in nitrogen use efficiency, and a decline in crop yield response to fertilizer use. Notably, urea continues to be the dominant fertiliser due to its rich nitrogen content, affordability, easy storage and transport, versatility, and heavy subsidy.
Government Measures For Balanced Fertilisation and Their Impact
Several steps have been taken by the Indian government to ensure balanced fertilisation. In 2015, the decision to mandate neem-coating of all urea was initiated and then followed up with the introduction of 45kg urea bags in 2018 to reduce demand. The Indian Farmers Fertiliser Cooperative Limited (IFFCO) promoted this cause through the launch of liquid ‘Nano Urea’ in 2021. The first Liquid Nano Urea (LNU) plant, designed to replace traditional urea and reduce its requirement by at least 50%, was inaugurated in Kalol, Gujarat. Despite the reduction in consumption because of neem-coated urea initially, this trend reversed from 2018-19, evidenced by the sharp rise in urea sales in 2022-23.
The Role of Nutrient-based Subsidy (NBS) regime in India’s Agriculture
The NBS regime aims to aid farmers across the country, particularly those who cannot afford fertilizers at market rates. It provides subsidies directly transferred to the farmers’ bank accounts based on their fertilizer requirements. The NBS regime enhances soil fertility, crop productivity, improves the quality of agricultural produce, and helps conserve soil health while reducing the environmental impact of excessive use of fertilizers. However, urea is excluded from this scheme, and its prices remain under control, while other fertilizers have seen a price surge. This discrepancy has led farmers to use more urea than before, further exacerbating the condition of fertilizer imbalance. Price controls on DAP have been reintroduced because of this situation, leading to increased sales of both urea and DAP in 2022-23.
The Consequence of Imbalanced Fertilisation
Imbalanced fertilization can lead to reduced crop yields and quality, resulting in considerable financial losses for farmers. Additionally, it can cause soil degradation, erosion, and loss of soil fertility over time. Overuse of fertilisers can also result in environmental pollution and pose health risks due to the accumulation of harmful nitrates in crops.
Possibilities for Future Improvement
The current scenario calls for several changes to address the issue of imbalanced fertilisation. Firstly, the NBS regime should be expanded to include urea. The use of alternative fertilisers like organic and bio-fertilisers needs promotion. Soil testing can help determine the nutrient requirements of crops. Monitoring and regulating the prices of decontrolled fertilisers is crucial to prevent their excessive use. Investment in R&D of sustainable fertilisers can boost the development of environmentally friendly fertilisers. Improving Nitrogen Use Efficiency (NUE) can aid in maximizing crop yield and minimizing wastage.
In essence, navigating the complex landscape of fertiliser subsidy and balancing fertilisation requires careful attention and numerous reforms.
