Context:
India has achieved an all-time high fertilizer production of 524.62 lakh tonnes in 2025, meeting nearly 73% of its total fertilizer demand through domestic supply, significantly reducing import dependence.
Key Highlights:
What is Fertilizer Security?
• Ensuring timely, affordable, and uninterrupted availability of fertilizers such as Urea, DAP, NPKs, and SSP to farmers.
• Focus on reducing import dependence, strengthening domestic production capacity, and improving supply-chain resilience.
Production Trends (Chronological Growth)
• 2021: 433.29 lakh tonnes
• 2025: 524.62 lakh tonnes (All-time high)
• Domestic share of requirement increased to ~73%.
Raw Material Security Measures
• Long-term international agreements for rock phosphate, ammonia, potash.
• Diversification of import sources to reduce geopolitical vulnerability.
Government Initiatives & Policy Support
• Strengthening domestic fertilizer units under Atmanirbhar Bharat.
• Nutrient Based Subsidy (NBS) scheme for non-urea fertilizers.
• Promotion of Nano Urea and alternative fertilizers.
• Revamping closed fertilizer plants and encouraging private participation.
Significance
• Farm Productivity: Prevents nutrient shortages during peak sowing seasons.
• Economic Stability: Reduces fertilizer import bill and forex outflow.
• Strategic Autonomy: Shields agriculture from global supply disruptions (e.g., geopolitical conflicts).
• Food Security Linkage: Ensures sustained agricultural output.
Relevant Prelims Points:
• India is one of the largest producers and consumers of fertilizers globally.
• Major fertilizers:
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Urea (Nitrogenous) – Most consumed fertilizer.
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DAP (Di-Ammonium Phosphate) – Phosphatic fertilizer.
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NPK – Complex fertilizer containing Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium.
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SSP (Single Super Phosphate) – Phosphatic fertilizer.
• Issue: High import dependence for phosphatic and potassic fertilizers.
• Causes: Limited domestic reserves of rock phosphate and potash.
• Government Initiatives:
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Nutrient Based Subsidy (NBS) Scheme.
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Neem-Coated Urea policy to reduce diversion.
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Promotion of Nano Urea by Indian Farmers Fertiliser Cooperative Limited.
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Revived fertilizer plants in Gorakhpur, Sindri, Barauni under public sector revival.
• Benefits:
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Reduced import vulnerability.
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Stabilized fertilizer prices for farmers.
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Improved agricultural output.
• Challenges:
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Continued dependence on imported raw materials.
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Fiscal burden due to fertilizer subsidy.
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Soil nutrient imbalance due to excessive urea use.
• Impact:
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Strengthens India’s agricultural resilience.
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Supports income stability for farmers.
Relevant Mains Points:
• Fertilizer security is linked to Food Security (Article 47 – Directive Principles of State Policy) and farmer welfare.
• Subsidy Structure:
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Urea under statutory price control.
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Phosphatic & potassic fertilizers under Nutrient Based Subsidy (NBS) regime.
• Economic Dimensions:
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Reduces pressure on Current Account Deficit (CAD).
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Supports rural economy and agricultural GDP.
• Governance Aspect:
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Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) in fertilizers for transparency.
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Strengthening logistics and digital tracking.
• Environmental Dimension:
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Overuse of nitrogen leads to soil degradation and groundwater pollution.
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Push for balanced fertilization and organic alternatives.
• Way Forward:
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Promote balanced nutrient application through Soil Health Cards.
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Enhance domestic mining of rock phosphate where feasible.
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Expand production of green ammonia and sustainable fertilizers.
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Rationalize fertilizer subsidy to reduce fiscal burden.
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Encourage biofertilizers and precision agriculture.
UPSC Relevance (GS-wise):
• GS II (Governance): Government interventions in agricultural inputs, subsidy reforms.
• GS III (Agriculture & Economy): Agricultural productivity, subsidy management, self-reliance, food security.
• GS III (Environment): Sustainable fertilizer use and soil health.