Central idea

• Rising urea consumption: The use of urea has continued to increase, leading to a decline in crop yield response to fertiliser use, and an imbalance in the nutrient application.
• Unbalanced fertilization: The nutrient-based subsidy regime is a failure in promoting balanced fertilization.
• Several measures failed: The measures introduced by the Indian government to reduce urea consumption, such as neem-coating, smaller bags, and Nano Urea, have not been successful.

Do You Know?

The ideal NPK use ratio for the country is 4:2:1, whereas it was 6.5:2.8:1 in 2020-21 and 7.7:3.1:1 in 2021-22. In the recent 2022 kharif season, the ratio got further distorted to 12.8:5.1:1.

What is Urea?

• Urea is a commonly used nitrogen-containing fertiliser that provides crops with the necessary nutrients for growth and development.
• It is a white, crystalline solid that is soluble in water and has a high nitrogen content, with around 46% nitrogen by weight.
• Urea is made from ammonia and carbon dioxide and is used extensively in agriculture due to its high nitrogen content and affordability.
• It is a major source of nitrogen for crops, and when applied in the right amounts, it can improve crop yields and increase overall agricultural productivity.

Urea usage in India

Policy moves related to Urea

The introduction of these measures was aimed at reducing urea consumption in the country.

• Neem-coated urea: In May 2015, the Indian government mandated the neem-coating of all urea manufactured in the country as well as imported urea to illegal diversion for non-agricultural use.
• Reduced size: Later, in March 2018, the government replaced 50-kg urea bags with 45-kg bags.
• Liquid Nano Urea: Recently, in June 2021, the Indian Farmers’ Fertiliser Cooperative (IFFCO) launched a liquid fertiliser called ‘Nano Urea’.

Ineffectiveness of the above measures

• Despite the introduction of these measures, urea consumption in the country has not decreased.
• In fact, sales of urea crossed a record 35.7 million tonnes (mt) in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2023.
• Although consumption dipped in the initial two years after neem-coating was fully enforced, it reversed from 2018-19.

Failure of the nutrient-based subsidy (NBS) regime

• The government introduced the nutrient-based subsidy (NBS) regime in April 2010.
• The regime fixed a per-kg subsidy for each fertiliser nutrient – nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potash (K), and sulphur (S).
• The aim was to promote balanced fertilisation and discourage farmers from applying too much urea, di-ammonium phosphate (DAP) and muriate of potash (MOP).
• However, the data shows that nutrient imbalance has worsened, with urea consumption rising by over a third since 2009-10.
• Nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) has declined from 48.2% in 1962-63 to 34.7% in 2018.

Cost of overdose fertilization

• Fertilisers are essential for plant growth and grain yield, but the overuse of urea and other fertilisers has led to an imbalance in nutrient application.
• Crop yield response to fertiliser use has decreased, with the disproportionate application of nitrogen by farmers being a key reason.
• Recent research has shown that nitrogen use efficiency has declined in India, making it necessary to promote the use of other fertilisers containing different nutrients.

Way forward

To address the issue of rising urea consumption, two approaches can be adopted.

• Disincentivise: The first is to raise prices, but this is not politically feasible.
• Improve nitrogen use efficiency (NUE): One way to achieve this is to make the incorporation of urease and nitrification inhibitors compulsory in urea.

Some other potential solutions include:

• Promoting the use of organic fertilisers: Such as compost and manure, can improve soil health and reduce the need for synthetic fertilisers. This can also reduce the risk of environmental pollution and improve the sustainability of agriculture.
• Encouraging precision agriculture: Such as soil testing, can help farmers apply fertilisers in the right amounts and at the right time, reducing wastage and increasing nutrient use efficiency.
• Promoting crop rotation and intercropping: Planting different crops in rotation or together can help maintain soil fertility and reduce the need for synthetic fertilisers.
• Increasing public awareness and education: Educating farmers and the public on the importance of sustainable fertiliser use and the potential risks of overusing synthetic fertilisers can help promote more sustainable agricultural practices.

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