Fertilizers are the inorganic changes that supplement the required nutrients to washed plants and lead to increased yields. The use of fertilizers began to increase drastically, shortly after the green revolution to increase food production to become a self -reliant country. Their use extended to other crops, because many organizations in the public and private sectors started releasing new hybrid varieties in large areas and horticultural crops.
When fertilizers are applied in a balanced way, plants have their filling, they become strong and produce healthy yields when applied in excess fertilizers do not raise the yield, waste criticism, polluting water, degrader soil and release nitrogen oxide, a greenhouse gas that is 270 times more powerful.
Current scenario
During FY2023-24, the production of urea was 31.41 million tons (MT) and that of NP/NPK complex fertilizers 9.55 MT with an increase of 10.2 percent and 2.7 percent respectively, more than 2022-23. India is in second place in the consumption of fertilizers, and despite the increasing production of domestic fertilizers, approximately 30 percent of fertilizers requirements are still paid by import. In times of uncertainty, war or trade crises, severe dependence on import can cause the disruptions of delivery and price fluctuations.
According to the use of India’s fertilizer association, the use of fertilizers (NPK) is 141.2 kilograms per hectare of land. Furthermore, the difference between the production and consumption of fertilizers in 2023-2024 was 3.43 MT for phosphorus and 3.35 mmt for nitrogen.
The budgeting allocation for fertilizer subsidy in India during the budget of 2023-24 was £ 1.75.103 crore, from which Urea only took £ 1.31.100 crore. This made Urum more often friendly for small and marginal farmers; On the other hand, the balanced fertilizer consumption discouraged. Before 2015, China also implemented extensive fertilizer subsidies to improve the production of crops, but this policy led to widespread over application of fertilizers.
The Fertilizers Paradox
Many scientific reports reveal a painful story of very unbalanced fertilizer use with an average N: P: K ratio of 6.7: 2.7: 1, far from the recommended 4: 2: 1, good for 67.5 percent and 35 percent, respectively Ne and P -use. This deviation has exhausted other essential macro and micronutrients, resulting in decreasing productivity and overall soil health. MoreOover, Fertiliser Use Efficiency in India is also critically Low: 30–35 per cent For Nitrogen, 15-20 per cent for Phosphorus, and 50–60 per cent for Potassium, Meaning a huge part of applied nutrients is Lost to Groundibuting, Furthertibuting, Furthertibuting, Furtheributing, Furtheributing, Furtheributing, Furtheributing, Furtheributing, Furtheributing, Furtheributing, Furtheributing, Furtheributing, Furtheributing, Furtheributing, Furtherness, Furtherness, Furtherness, Furtherness, Furtherness, Furtherness, Furtherness, Furtherness, Furtherness, Furtherness, Furtherness, Furtherness, Furtherness or Water Contributing, Further Bodies, and the Release of Nitrous Oxide, A Potent Greenhouse Gas That Worsens Climate Change, Disrupts Soil Microbial Ecosystems, Reducing organic carbon levels and reducing natural food cycle processes. FAO has also reported several adverse health effects on people and animals because of the excessive use of fertilizers.
Given these scientific and economic challenges, a new fertilizer policy is necessary.
Forward
By 2050, the Indian population is expected to be more than 1.6 billion, which requires an increase in food production of 70 percent to guarantee national food security. This question will exert enormous pressure on the agricultural sector, in particular on the health of the soil, water stocks and inputefficiency. Fertilizers, which are a cornerstone of modern agriculture, must be managed more sustainably and scientifically to take on this challenge.
A policy with more emphasis on the health of the soil, balanced nutritional statement, sustainable agriculture, climate spring, admission of nano fertilisers and bio-fertilisers, and widespread acceptance of new age technologies such as AI, ML, external detection, GIS, Blocketen etc.
There is an immediate need for the revision of the existing policy to guarantee the sustainable, efficient and fair use of fertilizers that support the health of soil and food security. The following important components can be emphasized in the revised policy.
Farmer’s training and capacity building
● Awareness programs must focus on training farmers about the importance of balanced food application, the risks of convincing chemical fertilizers and the benefits of alternatives such as bio-fictilisers and nano fertilizers.
● Training sessions, field demonstrations and mobile advisory services can help farmers to understand soil health reports and to apply fertilizers based on crop -specific needs.
Attract talent to agriculture
● Make agriculture more attractive, rewarding and ready for the future to attract young, competent and technically skilled talent.
● Promote start-ups, offer innovation fairs and incubation support for AGI entrepreneurs who work on smart fertilization, precision agriculture and monitoring of soil health.
Integration of CSR in the new fertilizer policy
By aligning CSR initiatives to the goals of a new fertilizer policy, companies can play a crucial role in transforming the agricultural landscape of India and at the same time fulfill their ethical and social obligations. A provision that will allocate CSR funds to educational and entrepreneurial activities.
Reducing import dependence
● Identifying alternatives to artificial fertilizer input.
● Increasing production of household fertilizers
● Development of alternative food sources with the help of indigenous sources.
Reform of fertilizers subsidies
● Delivery of fertilizers based on land maintenance, soil type and crop requirements
● DBT of subsidies to farmers instead of fertilizer companies can be optimized and balanced fertilizers use.
● Incenting farmers based on soil health, balanced nutritional management and sustainable practices.
The author is, director, Shri Vile Parle Kelavani Mandal’s College of Agriculture, Shirpur, Maharashtra.
Published on June 29, 2025
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