Beating the Current International Fertilizer Price Rise and Moderating India's Subsidy Bill:Innovations in Fertilizer Use and Management Are a Way Forward

摘要

Against the backdrop of prevailing inflationary trends fuelled further by Russia-Ukraine war,beginning February 2022 international prices of fertilizers(NPK)and raw materials have shown a rise of 30 to 40.In India,ongoing price spike has substantially increased the foreign exchange bill on fertilizer imports.Protecting farmers from the burden of sky-rocketing prices has become a frontal public policy issue.During 2022-23,country is likely to spend Rs.2.15 trillion(Rs 1.05 trillion subsidy plus Rs 1.10 trillion for protecting farmers from price rise),which is ~25 more than 2021-22 fiscal.The possible way out to lessen this inescapable spending is to reduce the fertilizer use by ways and means that are not at the cost of food production targets without sacrificing the health and quality of soil,water,and air.This paper aims to explore possible avenues to lessen fertilizer use and simultaneously safeguard food security and environmental wellbeing.The focus is on enhancing fertilizer use efficiency,which is generally<50.Typical target is elevating fertilizer nitrogen(FN)use efficiency(NUE)from 30 to 60.Additional objective is to cut fertilizer potassium imports by ~25.Four interventions are proposed to accomplish these two targets:(i)spreading the message of good soil(minimum tillage...),crop(right,optimum rate and date of seeding,intercropping...),and fertilizer management(no general recommendations; application rates governed by soil-test and crop need-based and delivered through precise management-drilling,minimum application of FN at seeding and remaining top-dress in 2-3 splits but broadcast before irrigation...),(ii)organic supplements to complement inorganic fertilizer(25 N as organic manure and 75 as FN),(iii)innovative fertilizer products-focus is on customized constructs driven by soil-test values and cropping system-demand.To cover varying soil and crop conditions,Taluk/Panchayat level tailoring is necessary for serving the cause of balanced or site-specific nutrient management.Dry granulation utilizing compaction process is recommended.To be established as franchisees of big manufacturers who as part of social corporate responsibility mentor,and handhold materially and financially these small businesses,(iv)to lessen fertilizer K imports(100 imported,foreign exchange burden US $ 1700 M),exploitation of indigenously available mineral reserves.Proposed strategy nucleates around glauconite-a K mineral(wasted reserves 1900 million tons),which is suitable for direct application with minimum processing(ponding).Focus areas for treatment are acid soils(-25 M ha),which are inherently K-deficient.Currently,acid soils appropriate 60 of the FK consumption as these are K deficient and largely support cultivation of high K-demanding horticultural and plantation crops.Inclusion of glauconite in the schedule of minor minerals will be a must to exploit this resource.With these 4 interventions the report confirms possible saving of-50 FN and 25 of FK.In pursuance of that the report strongly suggests undertaking aggressive extension to create among farmers awareness,skills,and appreciation by replacing common demonstrations with a system of innovation(SOI).SOI inter alia calls for launch of adaptive research that concentrates on farmers-led testing of the new technologies innovated with inclusion of their knowledge and experience.Those of the farmer producer groups save fertilizer without any yield loss and harm to soil,water,and air are suitably awarded with cash,incentives,and commendation certificates for generating these benign environmental services.