Reducing Fertiliser Dependence: India’s Shift Towards Balanced and Efficient Alternatives

(Source – Indian Express, Section – Explained- Page No. – 12)

Analysis of the news:

Strategic Need for Reducing Fertiliser Consumption

• India’s reliance on imported fertilisers like urea, di-ammonium phosphate (DAP), and muriate of potash (MOP) has made capping their usage a strategic priority.

• MOP is entirely imported due to the absence of domestic potash reserves.

• Although 85% of urea demand is met domestically, it depends heavily on imported liquefied natural gas.

• DAP’s complex import requirements further increase India’s vulnerability to global market fluctuations and foreign exchange pressures.

Challenges of High-Analysis Fertilisers

• Urea, DAP, and MOP are high-analysis fertilisers with concentrated nutrient content.

• However, most crops do not require such high levels of individual nutrients.

• Excessive use leads to nutrient imbalance in soils, affecting crop yields. Additionally, overdependence on imported fertilisers escalates costs, especially with rupee depreciation.

• Balanced fertilisation, involving secondary and micronutrients, is essential for sustainable agriculture and efficient use of foreign exchange.

Ammonium Phosphate Sulphate (APS): An Effective DAP Alternative

• APS has emerged as a viable substitute for DAP.

• It offers balanced nutrients, including sulphur, crucial for crops like oilseeds, pulses, and maize.

• Unlike DAP, APS requires significantly less expensive phosphoric acid, making it a cost-effective solution.

• Its rising consumption, surpassing single super phosphate (SSP), highlights its growing acceptance across India due to its water-soluble phosphorus and balanced nutrient composition.

Economic and Market Dynamics Driving APS Adoption

• Government policies and market economics are pivotal in promoting APS.

• The rising cost of DAP imports, coupled with limited subsidies, has made DAP less viable. In contrast, APS offers profitability to manufacturers while being marginally cheaper for farmers.

• The increasing adoption of APS is reflected in its sales surge, positioning it as India’s third-largest consumed fertiliser after urea and DAP.

Way Forward: Diversification and Efficiency in Fertiliser Use

• India must further diversify fertiliser use by promoting other balanced complexes .

• The goal should be reducing high-analysis fertiliser consumption, encouraging nutrient-efficient practices, and optimising foreign exchange use.

• A robust marketing push, supported by government incentives, can facilitate this transition, ensuring sustainable agricultural growth and reduced import dependency.