India is an agrarian country where a large section of the population depends directly on agriculture for its livelihood. To meet the steadily increasing demand for food, the use of chemical fertilisers has continuously risen over the past several decades. In the initial years, these fertilisers undoubtedly helped boost agricultural production and ensured food availability. However, today their indiscriminate, excessive and unregulated use has created a serious crisis affecting agriculture, the environment and human health.
Alarming figures of fertiliser consumption
The magnitude of the use of chemical fertilisers in the country can be understood from the fact that while consumption stood at around 115 crore bags in 2018–19, it crossed 150 crore bags during 2024–25. What is even more worrying is that India’s population is approximately 143 crore, whereas fertiliser consumption has exceeded 150 crore bags. This imbalance is not only disturbing but also signals a grave threat to the future of sustainable agriculture and food security.
A double blow to health and soil
The impact of chemical fertilisers has now reached our dining tables. Wheat, rice, pulses, vegetables, fruits, and even milk, curd and ghee are no longer free from chemical residues. As a result, cases of serious diseases such as cancer, heart ailments, allergies and diabetes are rising steadily across the country.
The condition of agricultural land is equally troubling. As per scientific recommendations, fertilisers should be applied only near plant roots. However, in practice, they are often broadcast across entire fields. This leads to an increase in weeds, which in turn prompts farmers to use large quantities of weedicides. These chemicals severely hamper soil fertility and destroy beneficial microorganisms. To restore lost productivity, farmers then use even more fertilisers, trapping themselves in a vicious cycle that is making the soil increasingly barren year after year.
Economic burden and black marketing
The fertiliser sector is also placing a heavy burden on the national economy. At present, chemical fertilisers worth nearly ₹3 lakh crore (including subsidies) are consumed annually in the country. Ironically, the fertiliser industry depends on imported raw materials or fertilisers to the extent of nearly 80%. Out of the total expenditure of ₹3 lakh crore, about ₹2.5 lakh crore is spent on imports alone. On one hand, our land is losing its fertility, and on the other, a huge amount of national capital is flowing out of the country.
The government provides massive subsidies to support farmers. Over the past 10 years, fertiliser subsidies amounting to nearly ₹13 lakh crore have been given by the Government of India. Because of this subsidy, urea that costs around ₹40 per kilogramme is available to farmers at less than ₹6 per kilogramme. In fact, urea has become cheaper than animal fodder. The government bears 85–90% of the cost so that farmers can buy urea at a price even lower than a cup of tea.
However, this low price has encouraged misuse and black marketing. Middlemen divert subsidised urea for non-agricultural purposes such as plywood factories, cattle feed, and even adulterated milk production, instead of its intended use in farming.
The path of reform and possible solutions
To overcome this deepening crisis, decisive and practical reforms are now essential. Earlier, crop residues were used as organic manure, which helped maintain the soil’s organic carbon content. Today, farmers may earn some money by selling residues, but this income is negligible compared to the long-term cost of chemical fertilisers and soil degradation.
The government should consider reducing the weight of chemical fertiliser bags and simultaneously promote effective organic alternatives. Regions with excessively high fertiliser use should be identified, and special monitoring teams should be deployed to regulate and guide usage.
Key suggestions to restore soil health
- Greater use of green manure: Just as yoga is essential for keeping the human body healthy, green manure is vital for maintaining soil health.
- Better plant development: Organic manure allows plant roots to spread wider and grow deeper, strengthening crops naturally.
- Scientific crop rotation: Instead of growing the same crop repeatedly, crop rotation should be adopted. For example, leguminous crops draw nutrients from deeper soil layers, while wheat and paddy utilise nutrients from the upper layers.
- Improved irrigation techniques: Drip irrigation and land levelling before cultivation can save water and ensure fertilisers are used efficiently and reach plants directly.
- Efficient use of urea: Spraying urea in the evening is more effective, delivering better results with smaller quantities.
- Livestock and ecological balance: Promoting animal husbandry increases the availability of farmyard manure, helps maintain long-term productivity and gives the soil much-needed rest.
If we fail to protect our soil today, our future will not remain secure. The time has come to break free from our dependence on chemicals and return to nature. Sustainable agriculture is not merely an option — it is a necessity for the survival of farmers, consumers and the nation as a whole.
Courtesy PIB, Srinagar
