Various chemical fertilizers utilized in Indian farming
Indian agriculture, a cornerstone of the country's economy and food security, is confronted with significant sustainability issues due to the excessive use of chemical fertilizers. One of the primary concerns is the degradation and imbalance of soil, leading to widespread micronutrient deficiencies and damage to the soil microbiome, which in turn reduces soil fertility and crop resilience.
Continuous use of urea and DAP (Diammonium Phosphate) has been a major contributor to this issue. Urea, the most widely used complex nitrogen manure in India, has a nitrogen content of 46%, while DAP, a common phosphorus fertilizer, contains 46% phosphorus and 18% nitrogen.
Another issue is soil fatigue and the loss of microbial biodiversity, caused by chemical inputs and monoculture farming. This makes crops more vulnerable to pests, diseases, and climate stresses. Moreover, poor soil health from fertilizer overuse reduces water infiltration and retention, exacerbating groundwater depletion in major agricultural regions like Punjab and Haryana.
Environmental impacts are also a concern, with heavy reliance on imported raw materials for fertilizer production contributing to emissions and environmental concerns.
However, the Indian fertilizer industry is actively pursuing sustainable solutions. One such approach is the shift towards balanced fertilizer use, with programs like PM-PRANAM promoting the efficient application of fertilizers to reduce excess chemical inputs and environmental pressure while improving productivity.
Another solution is the development and adoption of biofertilizers and organic fertilizers, which help restore soil health and reduce chemical dependency. The emerging use of biochar, a carbon-rich product from pyrolysis of organic waste, also shows promise. Biochar improves soil structure, water retention, nutrient availability, and microbial activity, while sequestering carbon and mitigating climate change. It has been shown to increase crop yields by up to 25% and reduce fertilizer usage.
Technological advancements, incorporating technology, renewable energy, and circular economy approaches into fertilizer production, aim to make the industry more sustainable and self-reliant. Government initiatives also focus on increasing domestic fertilizer production, reducing imports, and promoting eco-friendly fertilizers and sustainable farming practices.
The affordability and accessibility of chemical fertilizers may become increasingly appealing to farmers when common minerals used to manufacture fertilizers, such as phosphate rock, become harder to locate. However, it is crucial to consider the long-term effects of chemical fertilizer use on soil health and the environment.
In summary, Indian agriculture faces significant sustainability issues from heavy chemical fertilizer use, including soil degradation, water depletion, and environmental impacts. Sustainable alternatives being explored include balanced fertilizer application, organic fertilizers, biofertilizers, biochar, along with industry modernization and supportive policies to align fertilizer use with agro-ecological and climate resilience goals.
- Embracing the use of biofertilizers, organic fertilizers, and biochar can help restore soil health by reducing chemical dependency and improving soil structure, water retention, nutrient availability, and microbial activity, which are crucial elements for health-and-wellness (of the soil) and can boost fitness-and-exercise (crop growth) by increasing crop yields.
- In the realm of science, the emerging practice of optimizing fertilizer application through programs like PM-PRANAM can ensure efficacious utilization of fertilizers, thereby reducing excess chemical inputs, preserving soil health, and promoting sustainable fitness-and-exercise (agriculture) practices, while also addressing environmental concerns and enhancing nutrition (crop quality and food security).
