9 December 2024 : Indian Express Editorial Analysis
1. All is not well with soil
(Source: Indian Express; Section: The Ideas Page; Page: 11)
| Topic: GS3 – Agriculture |
| Context |
|
Importance of World Soil Day and Its 2024 Theme
Critical Role of Topsoil
- World Soil Day, commemorated annually on December 5, emphasizes the indispensable role of soil in human survival.
- In 2024, the theme, “Caring for Soils – Measure, Monitor, and Manage”, underscored the pressing need to address soil nutrient deficiencies.
- Topsoil, which constitutes the uppermost two to three centimeters, takes millennia to form and supports 95% of global food production.
- This theme aptly reflected the growing challenges of soil degradation and nutrient depletion, which threaten agricultural sustainability and food security.
FAI Annual Seminar and Fertiliser’s Role in Agriculture
Global and National Collaboration
- Coinciding with World Soil Day, the Fertiliser Association of India (FAI) hosted its annual seminar from December 4 to 6, with over 1,400 delegates from 20 countries.
- This event highlighted the fertiliser industry’s pivotal role in ensuring soil fertility.
- High-yielding crop varieties, crucial for enhancing agricultural output, rely heavily on fertilisers to meet their nutrient demands.
- The seminar reinforced the interdependence between soil health, fertiliser application, and sustainable agriculture.
Challenges in Indian Soils and Fertiliser Dependency
Soil Nutrient Deficiencies
- Indian soils are alarmingly deficient in essential nutrients. Only a small fraction—less than 5%—has sufficient nitrogen, while 40% have adequate phosphate, 32% sufficient potash, and 20% adequate organic carbon.
- Additionally, deficiencies in micronutrients such as zinc, sulphur, and boron exacerbate the challenge, impacting crop productivity and farmer incomes.
- Addressing these deficiencies is critical for maintaining agricultural output and soil vitality.
The Fertiliser Sector’s Contributions and Limitations
- India’s fertiliser industry has significantly contributed to agricultural success, enabling the country to become a net exporter of agri-produce, including 85 million tonnes of cereals during 2020-2023.
- However, this success masks inefficiencies: a 30-50% productivity slack persists in various regions.
- The industry’s reliance on subsidies—amounting to ₹1.88 lakh crore, or 4% of the Union budget—raises sustainability concerns.
- Urea, heavily subsidized and priced at $70/tonne, distorts the pricing and usage of other fertilisers like DAP and MOP, leading to imbalanced nutrient application.
Imbalanced Fertiliser Use and Environmental Impact
Disproportionate NPK Usage
- Imbalanced application of nitrogen (N), phosphate (P), and potash (K) is evident across Indian states.
- For instance, Punjab uses 61% more nitrogen but 89% less potash than recommended, while Telangana exhibits similar overuse of nitrogen and underuse of other nutrients.
- This imbalance results in excessive foliage growth but suboptimal grain production. Moreover, nutrient use efficiency (NUE) remains low at 35-40%, with significant environmental repercussions, as excess nitrogen escapes into the atmosphere as nitrous oxide, a potent greenhouse gas.
Leakage and Diversion Issues
- Around 20-25% of subsidized urea is diverted for non-agricultural purposes or smuggled to neighboring countries.
- This not only reduces its availability for farmers but also exacerbates environmental harm, undermining the purpose of the subsidy.
Recommendations for Sustainable Fertiliser Use
Deregulating the Fertiliser Sector
- Reforms in the fertiliser subsidy policy are imperative. Deregulating fertiliser prices and introducing direct income transfers to farmers through digital coupons could incentivize balanced fertiliser use.
- Such reforms would align farmers’ practices with recommended nutrient applications, boosting productivity and profits while mitigating environmental damage.
Leveraging Technology for Implementation
- Effective reform requires robust preparation, including triangulating data from fertiliser sales, soil health cards, PM-KISAN, land records, and farmers’ bank accounts.
- Transparent communication by the government to build trust and understanding among farmers is essential to ensure the success of these measures.
Promoting Micronutrients
- Beyond NPK, incorporating micronutrients into fertiliser application strategies can enhance soil fertility and crop yields, paving the way for a sustainable agricultural future.
Conclusion: A Path Toward Soil and Agricultural Sustainability
- Achieving sustainable soil management demands coordinated efforts across policy, industry, and farming practices.
- By addressing nutrient imbalances and optimizing fertiliser usage, India can enhance agricultural productivity, reduce environmental impact, and strengthen its position as a global agricultural leader.
- Reforms in the fertiliser sector, supported by technological integration and farmer-centric policies, are key to realizing this vision.
| Importance of fertilization for nutrient replenishment in soil |
|
| Practice Question: India’s soil nutrient deficiencies and imbalanced fertiliser use pose significant challenges to agricultural sustainability and environmental health. Discuss the role of policy reforms, technological interventions, and sustainable practices in addressing these issues while ensuring farmers’ profitability and productivity. (250 words/15 m) |
