Page 177 - CW E-Magazine (1-4-2025)

Special Report Special Report

Table 3: Import of fertiliser materials 2023-24 ture. Besides, farmers are educated on  Stabilising the product with additives;  Consumption of plant nutrients per phosphate vis-à-vis high
Item Imports Country of origin the benefi ts of advanced techniques  Delivery of product as water-solu- hectare of arable/agricultural land is nutrient urea and DAP assumes
ble or in liquid forms; and
Products such as fertigation and integrated nutri-  Chelation with crop-specifi c micro- still lower in India compared to ma- paramount signifi cance in the sense
that such products supply only the
jor agrarian countries. Consumption
ent management.
Urea 7.04 Oman, China, Russia, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar. nutrients. of phosphatic and complex fertili- required quantum of nutrients dur-
DAP 5.57 China, Saudi Arabia, Morocco, Russia, Jordan. Large-scale use of compost and sers have registered an upward trend ing the cropping season, the whole
Potash 2.87 Russia, Canada, Israel, Jordan. farmland manure, biofertilisers, forti- The International Fertiliser Associ- and is projected to grow at approxi- of which will be absorbed by the
Intermediates fi ed fertilisers, and micronutrients must ation (IFA) listed controlled release mately 6% through 2024-2029. On crops leaving little residue. Besides
reducing wastage, it will also ward
be promoted.
fertilisers (CRFs), slow-release fertili-
an average, 2-3% increase in overall
Ammonia 2.18 Saudi Arabia, Oman, Indonesia, Bahrain, Qatar. sers (SRFs), sulphur coated urea (SCU), consumption is expected in the near off soil degradation and environ-
Phosphoric acid 2.26 Morocco, Jordan, Senegal,Tunisia, China, USA. The fertiliser sector, over the years, stabilised nitrogen fertilisers (SNFs), term, anticipating normal monsoon. mental pollution.
Raw Materials has underwent all the strains associated water soluble fertilisers (WSFs), liquid  Therefore, it is necessary to increase  The Government should institute a

Rock phosphate 8.81 Jordan, Morocco, Togo, Egypt. with the neo-liberal policies of the gov- NPKs, and chelated micronutrients and domestic production of fertilisers, countrywide programme to promote
ernment. It needs to undergo a trans-
boron as specialty fertilisers.
Sulphur 1.71 UAE, Oman, Qatar, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia. formation by absorbing the new trends, particularly in the context of the on- the use of composts, agricultural
Courtesy: Fertiliser Association of India scientifi c advancements and strategies Nano urea going energy transition, as ammonia, wastes, green leaves, and farmland
15.48-mt of fertiliser materials, besides the use of coated and delayed-release that are associated production, crop India’s fertiliser major, IFFCO, has the major fertiliser input material, manure as readily available sources
raw materials (sulphur and rock phos- materials. nutrition and use of mineral fertilisers developed nano fertiliser grade urea is also slated to become a fuel of of manure for crops.
phate) and intermediates (ammonia, around the world. and DAP, which is expected to revolu- the future for long-distance haul-  For marketing and distribution of
phosphoric acid and sulphuric acid). An optimal supply of soil nutri- tionize the application of nitrogen ferti- ing of ships, etc. The government fertilisers emerging technologies –
ents over time and space to match the Modifi ed/fortifi ed/specialty fertilisers lisers. Nano urea in liquid form hav- has announced a National Green e-commerce platforms, digital mar-
Achieving better nutrient effi ciency requirements of crops through the 4R Only a part of the nitrogen adminis- ing particles of 20-50 nanometers (1 Hydrogen Mission, which aims to keting, direct benefi t transfer – must
Effi cient use of fertilisers is im- principles can be achieved through tered to the soil as fertilisers is absorbed nanometer is 10-6 mm) when sprayed make India a global hub for green be made use of, to improve effi -
portant for optimal crop productivity, crop- and site-specifi c nutrient man- by the plant and the rest leaches to the on the plant leaf gets readily absorbed hydrogen and ammonia production. ciency and reduce losses and avoid
and economic gain to farmers and for agement. These broad principles of environment as nitrate or is lost to the by the plant through the leaf stomata The linkage with energy will invite delays.
avoiding pollution from leaching and nutrient administration to the soil were atmosphere as ammonia or nitrous and releases nitrogen inside the plant. more investment, particularly from
farmland runoff due to excessive ap- developed by the International Plant oxide, a potential climate distorting They also stimulate the enzymes in- the private sector.  Modern agriculture is criticized as
plication. Serious efforts are required Nutrition Institute in 1988. greenhouse gas. volved in nitrogen metabolism inside  In line with the country’s energy being energy- and carbon-intensive
to achieve better nutrient use effi - the plant cells. transition and proposed achieve- and contributing to massive emis-
ciency of applied fertilisers in the fi eld Coating of urea with ingredients Various techniques are available to ment of net zero emissions by 2070, sions and therefore not environmen-
based on nationwide soil testing and like sulphur, neem oil (India) or poly- improve nitrogen effi ciency of applied It is also expected to minimize the a massive programme to decarbonize tally sustainable. A paradigm shift is
balanced administration of fertilisers. mers, and addition of micronutrients fertilisers by product modifi cations and environmental footprint by reducing the the fertiliser sector, incorporating needed to innovate current agricul-
The government nowadays insists on a allow controlled release of nutrients to these efforts add more value to com- loss of nutrients from agriculture fi elds carbon capture and storage (CCS) tural practices, with an emphasis on
scientifi c administration of plant nutri- the soil over an extended period. Nutri- mon fertilisers: in the form of leaching and gaseous. and electrolyser technologies will long-term sustainability. The gov-
ents and promotes site- and crop-spe- ent release rate and duration are guided  Controlling the release of nutrients Available in the liquid form as 500-ml become necessary. ernment, together with the scientifi c

cifi c nutrient management, as well as by coating thickness and soil tempera- to the soil by coating the product; bottles, the long-term crop response of community, should explore alter-
Table 4: The 4R nutrient concept nano fertilisers is awaited. If accepted  Commissioning of plants under natives to traditional fertilisers, such
Concept Description widely, it will be a gamechanger to signi- construction and debottlenecking as organic and bio- and nano-based
of other operating plants with digi-
Right Product Apply the required nutrient depending on the crop’s requirement and type of soil to ensure balanced supply fi cantly reduce the necessity for mas- tal capabilities are to be expedited options, or precision agriculture
of nutrients. sive future imports of granular urea. to increase production and improve techniques. It will also counter dis-
Right Rate Administer the exact quantum of fertiliser to crop needs, based on soil analysis to compensate the nutrient CONCLUSION effi ciencies. ruption of traditional fertiliser pro-
ducts and raw materials supply chains
defi cit in the soil. Excessive application of fertiliser leads to environmental pollution, including runoff, Government efforts, though suc- arising every now and then on account
leaching and gaseous emissions, as well as wastage of money. An inadequate supply to replenish nutrient cessful in transforming Indian agricul-  Available low-grade rock phosphate of some reason or the other.
loss reduces soil fertility and results in gradual degradation of the soil. ture, are yet to achieve its full scale deposits (Rajasthan, etc.) may be
Right Time Ensure nutrients are available when crops need them by assessing crop nutrient dynamics. Split applica- intended objectives due to diffi culties effectively used through advanced The outlook for fertilisers in India
tions of mineral fertilisers or combining organic & mineral nutrient sources to provide slow-releasing encountered in implementation. benefi ciation etc. calls for more investments in produc-
sources of nutrients may become necessary.  Scientifi c application of fertilisers tion; technology access for digitization
Right Place Placing and keeping nutrients at the optimal distance from the crop and soil depth so that crops can fully The following observations and sug- is warranted. Promoting low- and decarbonization; retrofi t & revamp
absorb them with minimal loss of nutrients. The ideal method – soil surface or foliar application – depends gestions become relevant as regards nutrient content fertilisers such as of existing units; and, above all, farmer
on characteristics of the soil, crop, tillage regime and type of fertiliser. future market for fertilisers in the country. ammonium sulphate, monoammonium empowerment.

176 Chemical Weekly April 1, 2025 Chemical Weekly April 1, 2025 177

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