Programmes and Policies for Improving Fertilizer Use Efficiency in Agriculture

Abstract

Fertilizer use efficiency (FUE), often used synonymously with nutrient use efficiency (NUE), is a critical factor directly associated with food productivity, profitability and environmental sustainability. Public awareness on the need for the improved fertilizer management practices has increased continuously over the years, still low use efficiency is a concern for technocrats and policy makers; albeit perspective on FUE varies among farmers, line departments, scientists, fertilizer industry and also at inter-ministerial policies. In 1950s, yield of total food grains which was 522 kg ha-1 increased to 2,233 kg ha-1 in 2018. Per capita net availability of the food grains also increased from 394 grams per day (g day-1) to 484 g day-1. Green Revolution usherd in with high-yield shortduration fertilizer-responsive varieties contributing significantly in country’s food basket. However, large area of rainfed-dryland regions did not witness the benefits of Green Revolution where about 55% cultivated area exists in this region with several important crops such as pulses, oilseeds, millets, maize, soybean, cotton, etc. Thus, there is a great necessity for on-time supplementation of fertilizer nutrients in agriculture in adequate quantities. Additionally, Indian soils are extensively deficient in nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) along with micronutrients namely, zinc (Zn), iron (Fe) and boron (B) which have led to the Indian soils largely as low fertile soils. Low level of soil organic carbon (SOC) in Indian soils is an important factor for lower FUE. Nutrient use efficiency is less than 40% of the applied fertilizers. Declining partial productivity of fertilizer nutrients has further contributed in terms of incurring more initial cost to fertilizers to stabilize higher yields. Nutrient use efficiency enhancing technologies such as Nutrient Expert (NE) and site-specific nutrient management (SSNM)- based nutrient management, integrated nutrient management (INM) approach, nano-fertilizers, slow release fertilizers, biofertilizers, intercropping, legumes, SOC management, agro-advisories, hydrogels, etc., are of pivotal importance in current agriculture system in order to bring sustainability in ecosystem. However, implementation of proper policy programmes that converge all the sustainable practices together is highly essential to achieve maximum crop yields while maintaining stability in environment. Aggregation of various efficiency technologies in programme mode and their implementation at village-farmer level through efficient policy is a key issue with participation of all the stakeholders for accomplishing overall objectivity of improving FUE.