Context:
The ongoing US–Israel vs Iran conflict exposes India’s heavy dependence on fertiliser imports, posing risks to agriculture and food security.
Key Highlights:
- Import Dependence & Supply Chain Risks
- India imports large quantities of:
- Urea (~10 million tonnes)
- DAP (~6.5 million tonnes)
- MOP (Potash)
- GCC countries supply ~75% of urea imports.
- Russia is a major supplier of MOP, while China earlier dominated urea & DAP exports.
- Energy Linkages
- Fertiliser production depends heavily on natural gas (29% of India’s gas consumption).
- Major LNG suppliers: Qatar and UAE.
- Geopolitical Concerns
- Strait of Hormuz is a key chokepoint for:
- LNG
- Ammonia
- Sulphur
- Any disruption due to conflict may affect:
- Fertiliser production
- Import logistics and prices
- Current Situation & Risks
- India currently has comfortable fertiliser stocks.
- Prolonged conflict could:
- Disrupt shipping routes
- Increase global prices
- Impact agricultural productivity
Relevant Prelims Points:
- Urea
- Nitrogen-rich fertiliser; most widely used in India.
- DAP (Di-Ammonium Phosphate)
- Provides nitrogen and phosphorus.
- MOP (Muriate of Potash)
- Source of potassium.
- Strait of Hormuz
- Strategic chokepoint between Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman.
- LNG (Liquefied Natural Gas)
- Key input for fertiliser production.
Relevant Mains Points:
- Strategic Vulnerability
- High dependence on imports exposes India to external shocks.
- Fertiliser supply disruptions directly affect food security.
- Economic Implications
- Rising fertiliser prices increase subsidy burden.
- Impact on farm incomes and agricultural output.
- Geopolitical Dimension
- West Asia instability affects energy and input security.
- Need for diversified sourcing and strategic reserves.
- Challenges
- Limited domestic production of phosphatic and potassic fertilisers.
- Infrastructure constraints in storage and logistics.
- Way Forward
- Diversify imports (US, Australia, Southeast Asia).
- Promote domestic fertiliser production and green ammonia.
- Encourage balanced fertiliser use and alternatives (biofertilisers).
- Build strategic reserves of key inputs.
UPSC Relevance:
• GS 3 – Economy (agriculture, subsidies, supply chains)
• GS 2 – International Relations (West Asia geopolitics)
• Prelims – Fertilisers, Strait of Hormuz