India’s Fertilizer Strategy: How can India cut DAP, Urea and MOP Consumption

Context: India’s agricultural sector is heavily reliant on chemical fertilizers, particularly urea, di-ammonium phosphate (DAP), and muriate of potash (MOP).

Why India Needs to Cut DAP, Urea, and MOP Consumption?

Heavy Import Dependence

• MOP (Muriate of Potash): 100% imported from countries like Canada, Russia, and Jordan.
• DAP (Di-Ammonium Phosphate): Imported as finished fertiliser and raw materials from Saudi Arabia, China, Morocco, etc.
• Urea: While 85% is domestically produced, its manufacturing depends on imported Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) from Qatar, the US, and the UAE.
• Rupee Depreciation Impact: Rising import costs put pressure on India’s forex reserves.

High-Analysis Fertilisers Lead to Imbalanced Nutrient Use

• Urea (46% Nitrogen), DAP (46% Phosphorus + 18% Nitrogen), and MOP (60% Potash) provide excessive single nutrients.
• This leads to soil degradation and reduces crop productivity over time.
• Crops require balanced fertilisation with secondary (Sulphur, Calcium, Magnesium) and micronutrients (Zinc, Iron, Boron, etc.).

Financial Burden of Fertiliser Subsidies

The government provides massive subsidies to keep prices affordable.

• DAP Subsidy: ₹21,911 per tonne + ₹3,500 special concession.
• Urea Subsidy: Even higher, making urea overused by farmers.
• Reducing consumption would cut the subsidy burden on the exchequer.

Strategies to Reduce Dependence

Indigenous Production

• Utilizing India’s natural resources, such as phosphate rock in Rajasthan, to boost domestic fertilizer production.
• Encouraging investments in urea, phosphatic, and complex fertilizer production under initiatives like ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’.

Balanced Fertilization

Encouraging the use of complex fertilizers like 20:20:0:13 (ammonium phosphate sulphate) as alternatives to DAP.

Improve Nutrient Use Efficiency

• Use of Nano Urea: Reduces traditional urea application while increasing efficiency.
• Drip Irrigation + Fertigation: Reduces wastage and ensures precise nutrient delivery.
• Neem-Coated Urea: Slows nitrogen release, improving absorption.

• Farmer Awareness & Training: Train farmers on Integrated Nutrient Management (INM) for sustainable soil fertility.
  • Promote agro-advisory services for real-time guidance on fertiliser application.
  • Strengthen Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) to educate farmers on alternative fertilisers.

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