UPSC DAW Mains Answer Writing 21st July 2025

UPSC DAW Mains Answer Writing 21st July 2025

Question

Fertiliser subsidies in India have led to a distorted nutrient application pattern, adversely affecting soil health and agricultural productivity. Examine the challenges arising from this imbalance and suggest measures for effective soil nutrition management in Indian agriculture. (10 marks, 150 words) 

Model Answer

Introduction:  

  • Fertiliser subsidies in India, particularly on urea, have skewed nutrient application towards excessive nitrogen (N) use and underutilisation of phosphorus (P), potassium (K), and micronutrients. This has led to soil nutrient imbalances, reduced agricultural productivity, and environmental degradation. As per ICAR and Soil Health Card (SHC) Scheme data, only 5% of Indian soils have adequate nitrogen, while 80% lack sufficient organic carbon. 

 Challenges Due to Nutrient Imbalance: 

  • Declining Soil Health:  

  • Overuse of urea leads to nitrogen saturation, soil acidity, and microbial imbalance. 

  • E.g. Punjab overuses 61% more N and underuses 89% K than PAU-recommended doses (Source: ICRIER 2024). 

  • Low Nutrient Use Efficiency (NUE): 

  • NUE for N is just 35–40%, with the rest lost to leaching or volatilization. 

  • E.g. Nitrous oxide emissions (273x more potent than CO₂) worsen climate impact (Source: IPCC, 2021). 

  • Reduced Crop Productivity: 

  • Imbalanced fertilisation causes lush foliage but poor grain filling. 

  • E.g. Telangana farmers report lower rice yields despite greener crops. 

  • Distorted Fertiliser Pricing: 

  • Urea is priced at ~$70/tonne (government-controlled), while P and K are market-linked under Nutrient-Based Subsidy (NBS), discouraging balanced use. 

  • Leakage and Diversion: 

  • Estimated 20–25% urea diverted to non-agri uses or smuggled (Source: Economic Survey 2023). 

 Measures for Effective Soil Nutrition Management:  

  • Fertiliser Subsidy Reform:  

  • Shift to Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) of fertiliser subsidies via digital coupons (like PM-KISAN) to promote balanced nutrient choices. 

  • Expand and Integrate Soil Health Cards (SHC): 

  • Link SHC data with land records, fertiliser sales, and crop cycles for personalised recommendations. 

  • Promote Organic and Bio-Fertilisers: 

  • Scale up use of organic carbon sources like compost and biofertilisers (e.g., Rhizobium, Azotobacter) to improve soil structure and fertility. 

  • Deregulate Urea Prices Gradually: 

  • Bring urea under NBS to align with actual nutrient costs and usage efficiency. 

  • Micro-Nutrient Management: 

  • Incentivise inclusion of Zn, B, Fe, and S in fertiliser blends as per agro-climatic zone deficiencies (NITI Aayog, 2021 report on Soil Rejuvenation). 

 Conclusion:  

  • India’s fertiliser policy needs urgent recalibration. Balancing nutrients, aided by technology and policy reform, is vital for long-term soil health, farm productivity, and environmental sustainability. Reforming fertiliser subsidies will not only optimise input use but also revive the integrity of our topsoil, the foundation of food security.