Syllabus
GS Paper 3 – Issues related to Direct and Indirect Farm Subsidies, Cropping Patterns in various parts of the country
Context
The article discusses how a fertiliser cap can help in sustainable economy
Source
The Indian Express| Editorial dated 19th September 2024
Fertiliser Cap
Chemical fertilizers play a crucial role in modern agriculture by enhancing crop yields. However, they are derived from fossil fuels and minerals that also have alternative industrial uses, leading to competition for resources. This raises concerns about sustainability and efficient nutrient use in agriculture, especially for a country like India that relies heavily on imports for fertilizers and their raw materials.
Ammonia and Nitrogenous Fertilizers
- Ammonia Production: Derived from natural gas, ammonia is essential for nitrogenous fertilizers like urea.
- Competing Uses: Natural gas is also used in transportation, power generation, and as a feedstock for petrochemicals, creating competition for its supply.
- Impact on Fertilizer Availability: Limited natural gas availability can directly affect the production of nitrogenous fertilizers, making agriculture more vulnerable.
Phosphate Ore and EV Batteries
- Rock Phosphate Dependency: Rock phosphate is crucial for manufacturing di-ammonium phosphate (DAP), a widely used phosphatic fertilizer.
- Rising Demand for Batteries: Phosphate is now being used in electric vehicle (EV) batteries as a cheaper alternative to nickel, manganese, and cobalt.
- Resource Competition: Increased demand for phosphoric acid for EV batteries reduces its availability for fertilizers, straining global phosphate supply.
Food versus Cars Dilemma
- Resource Diversion: As phosphate is redirected towards EV battery production, there is less for agriculture, leading to a “food versus cars” dilemma.
- Parallels with “Food vs Fuel”: Similar concerns arose when crops like sugarcane and food grains were diverted to produce biofuels like ethanol, causing tensions between energy and food production needs.
Fertiliser Related Schemes
- Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samrudhi Kendra (PMKSK):
- Provides agri-inputs (fertilizers, seeds, implements) and testing facilities for soil, seeds, and fertilizers.
- Aims to raise awareness among farmers.
- Existing retail fertilizer shops will be gradually converted into PMKSKs.
- Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Jan Urvarak Pariyojana (One Nation, One Fertiliser):
- A Ministry of Chemicals & Fertilisers initiative.
- Introduces a single brand and logo for fertilizers like Urea, DAP, MOP, and NPK.
- Fertilizers will be branded as Bharat Urea, Bharat DAP, Bharat MOP, and Bharat NPK to ensure uniformity in quality and availability.
- Old bags were discontinued from 15.09.2022, with new bags introduced from August 02, 2022.
- Nutrient Based Subsidy (NBS):
- Applicable to 22 fertilizers (excluding urea).
- Subsidies are based on nutrient content (N, P, K, S), with additional support for secondary and micronutrients like molybdenum (Mo) and zinc.
- Aims to achieve an optimal NPK ratio (4:2:1) in fertilization.
- Subsidy on Phosphatic and Potassic (P&K) Fertilizers:
- Announced annually on a per kg basis for each nutrient.
- Encourages the balanced use of P&K fertilizers to improve soil health and crop yields.
- Market Development Assistance Policy:
- Promotes alternative fertilizers such as green manure, organic compost, and solid/liquid slurry.
- Soil Health Card:
- Provides farmers with soil health reports every 2 years.
- Implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare to optimize nutrient application and improve soil management.
Issues with fertilizer use in India
- Natural Gas Imports: India imports 50% of its natural gas needs, crucial for fertilizer production.
- Lack of Mineral Reserves: The country has little to no mineable reserves of phosphate, potash, and elemental sulfur, essential for fertilizer manufacturing.
- Vulnerability to Global Price Fluctuations: India’s dependence on imports makes it highly vulnerable to global price spikes and supply disruptions, which can affect domestic agricultural output.
- Subsidy-Driven Overuse: Government subsidies for fertilizers like urea and DAP incentivize their over-application by farmers, negatively affecting soil health.
- Environmental Consequences: Overuse leads to soil degradation, water contamination, and lower overall nutrient-use efficiency.
Way Ahead
- Shifting to Complex Fertilizers: Farmers need to transition from overusing high-analysis fertilizers like urea and DAP to complex fertilizers that contain a balanced nutrient mix.
- Water-Soluble Fertilizers: These fertilizers improve nutrient absorption, reduce waste, and can be applied through irrigation systems to enhance efficiency.
- Direct Root Zone Application: Nutrients should be delivered directly to the plant’s root zone to maximize uptake and minimize losses.
- Foliar Sprays: These sprays allow for direct application of nutrients to plant leaves, improving the rate of nutrient absorption.
- Lowering Bulk Fertilizer Use: Reducing the use of bulk fertilizers like urea and DAP can decrease the need for importing raw materials and finished products.
- Maximizing Efficiency: Indian agriculture needs to adopt a “more crop per kg of nutrient” approach, focusing on improving nutrient use efficiency.
- Sustainable Fertilizer Practices: Reducing dependency on fossil fuel-based fertilizers and encouraging balanced nutrient application will ensure the long-term sustainability of Indian agriculture.
Conclusion
India’s agricultural sustainability is closely tied to efficient nutrient use and reducing dependence on imported raw materials for fertilizers. Policies should aim to curtail the overuse of fertilizers, promote alternative nutrient sources, and enhance nutrient use efficiency to balance agricultural productivity with environmental and resource sustainability.
Related PYQ
What are the different types of agriculture subsidies given to farmers at the national and at state levels? Critically analyse the agricultural subsidy regime with reference to the distortions created by it. [ UPSC Civil Services Exam – Mains 2014]
Practice Question
How can efficient nutrient application contribute to the sustainability of Indian agriculture? [150 words]
Guidelines to Answer
- Introduction:
- Briefly introduce the role of chemical fertilizers in Indian agriculture and the reliance on imports for key inputs like natural gas and phosphate.
- Body:
- Discuss India’s dependence on imported natural gas and phosphate for fertilizer production and the impact of global price fluctuations.
- Highlight methods like reduced use of high-analysis fertilizers (e.g., urea, DAP), promoting complex and water-soluble fertilizers, and techniques like direct root zone application to improve efficiency.
- Analyze the need for government interventions to cap fertiliser consumption and shift towards sustainable practices.
- Conclusion:
- Summarize the need for balanced fertilizer use to ensure the sustainability of Indian agriculture.