Critical role of balanced fertilization

The Government of India has emphasised the critical role of balanced fertilization in enhancing soil fertility, sustaining crop productivity and reducing environmental harm from skewed fertilizer use, according to an official press note by the Press Information Bureau.

Balanced fertilization — defined as the application of all essential macro and micronutrients in the right proportions, quantities, timing and methods — is being promoted as a key enabler of sustainable agriculture in India.

Historically, the Green Revolution boosted food production through increased fertilizer use, but a heavy reliance on nitrogenous fertilizers without adequate micronutrient replenishment has led to declining soil health and nutrient imbalances. These imbalances have degraded soil structure, depleted vital nutrients, and increased nutrient losses into water bodies, posing environmental pollution and health risks.

To tackle these challenges and strengthen balanced nutrient management, the government has rolled out a range of initiatives:

• Soil Health Card (SHC) Scheme — Provides farmers with detailed soil nutrient profiles and crop-specific fertilizer recommendations; over 25.55 crore cards distributed to date.
• Nutrient-Based Subsidy (NBS) Scheme — Incentivises balanced use of phosphatic and potassic fertilizers with nutrient-linked subsidies, with over ₹2.04 lakh crore allocated in recent years.
• Neem-Coated Urea — Mandated on all domestic urea production to improve nitrogen use efficiency and reduce wastage.
• Organic and Sustainable Practices — Programmes like the Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana and PM-PRANAM scheme encourage organic manures, biofertilizers and reduced chemical fertilizer use.
• Nano and Customised Fertilizers — Promoted to enhance nutrient absorption and tailor nutrient supply to crop needs.
• Enforcement Drives — Actions against fertilizer diversion and misuse, including inspections, show-cause notices and licence cancellations.

Experts note that adopting balanced nutrient practices and integrated nutrient management can improve fertilizer use efficiency, maintain soil organic matter, boost crop yields and reduce environmental impacts such as nutrient runoff and groundwater contamination.

The government’s coordinated efforts underscore a commitment to long-term agricultural sustainability, aligning productivity goals with environmental responsibility and farmer welfare.