Optimising Indian Agriculture: Monsoon and Fertiliser Management – Prelims Specific

Introduction

Indian agriculture is highly susceptible to climate variability, particularly monsoon fluctuations, and systemic dependency on chemical inputs. Addressing these challenges is vital for maintaining food security and economic stability. For Prelims, it is essential to distinguish between various subsidy regimes and understand the government’s shift towards resource-efficient agricultural technologies.

Why in News?

• Concerns regarding uneven South-West Monsoon distribution and logistical bottlenecks in fertiliser procurement.
• Growing policy focus on shifting from traditional input-intensive farming to climate-resilient and balanced nutrient management systems.

Static Link

• Subject: Indian Economy and Geography (Agriculture).
• Concepts: Cropping patterns, input-intensive farming vs. sustainable agriculture, and the impact of monsoon on the Kharif season.
• UPSC Trap: Questions often confuse the scope of the Nutrient Based Subsidy (NBS) regime, incorrectly including urea under its coverage.

Institutional Link

• Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilisers (Department of Fertilisers): Responsible for the import, pricing, and distribution of chemical fertilisers.
• Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare: Manages flagship schemes like the Soil Health Card.
• ICAR (Indian Council of Agricultural Research): The apex body for agricultural research, tasked with developing climate-resilient crop varieties.

Core Prelims Facts

• Nano Urea: An innovative liquid fertiliser developed by IFFCO, designed to improve Nitrogen Use Efficiency (NUE) compared to granular urea.
• Integrated Nutrient Management (INM): A strategy to maintain soil fertility and plant nutrient supply through a judicious combination of chemical, organic, and bio-fertilisers.
• Soil Health Card (SHC): A government scheme that provides farmers with soil nutrient status, enabling them to make informed decisions regarding fertiliser application.

Important Terms and Concepts

• Nutrient Based Subsidy (NBS): A regime where a fixed subsidy is provided on P&K (Phosphorus and Potash) fertilisers based on their nutrient content.
• Crop Response Ratio: A measure of the increase in crop yield per unit of nutrient applied; declining ratios indicate soil degradation due to imbalanced fertiliser use.

Bodies / Organisations / Institutions

• IFFCO (Indian Farmers Fertiliser Cooperative): A multi-state cooperative society responsible for the introduction of Nano Urea.
• Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilisers: The nodal ministry governing the pricing and subsidy framework for fertilisers.

Schemes / Laws / Reports / Conventions

• Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY): Promotes organic farming and reduces dependence on synthetic inputs.
• Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY): Focuses on 'More Crop Per Drop' and expanding irrigation coverage to mitigate monsoon risks.

Possible UPSC Prelims Traps

• Urea Trap: Always remember that Urea is NOT covered under the Nutrient Based Subsidy (NBS) regime; it is under a separate price control mechanism.
• Institutional Trap: UPSC may incorrectly attribute the development of climate-resilient crop varieties to the Ministry of Chemicals rather than ICAR.
• Absolute Terms: Statements claiming that all chemical fertilisers are included in the NBS scheme are typically incorrect.

One-Minute Revision Notes

• Urea remains under price control and is excluded from NBS.
• NBS covers Phosphatic and Potassic (P&K) fertilisers only.
• Soil Health Cards aim to reduce imbalanced fertiliser use.
• Nano Urea is a key technology for reducing import bills and improving nutrient uptake.
• ICAR is the key body for agricultural research and climate-resilience development.

Practice MCQ for Prelims

1. With reference to the fertiliser sector in India, consider the following statements:

1. The Nutrient Based Subsidy (NBS) regime covers all chemical fertilisers used in India.

2. Nano Urea is an alternative to conventional granular urea and is designed to improve nitrogen use efficiency.

3. The Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare is responsible for the pricing of chemical fertilisers.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

(A) 1 and 2 only

(B) 2 only

(C) 1 and 3 only

(D) 1, 2 and 3

Answer: (B) 2 only.

Explanation: Statement 1 is incorrect because NBS does not cover Urea. Statement 3 is incorrect because the Department of Fertilisers (under the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilisers) handles fertiliser pricing, not the Department of Agriculture.