16-December-2024-Editorial

DECLINE IN DAP SALES AND RISING USE OF NPKS FERTILIZERS

The sale of Di-Ammonium Phosphate (DAP), a crucial fertilizer for rabi crops, has seen a sharp decline of 25.4% between April and October FY25. At the same time, the demand for NPKS fertilizers (Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium, and Sulphur) surged by 23.5%.

This shift highlights a growing trend toward balanced nutrient alternatives, driven by factors like rising DAP costs, global supply disruptions, and better soil health benefits from NPKS fertilizers.

Factors Influencing the Shift in Fertilizer Usage

Decline in DAP Usage

• Rising Costs: The price of DAP surged to approximately USD 632 per tonne in September 2024 due to global supply chain disruptions.
• Global Challenges:

• The Russia-Ukraine war and sanctions on Belarus disrupted the global potash supply, increasing costs of fertilizers like Muriate of Potash (MOP).
• Persian Gulf crisis caused shipping delays, extending transit times from 25 days to 45 days, further reducing DAP availability.

• Lower Imports: Reduced imports of DAP have pushed farmers to switch to alternative fertilizers.

Shift Towards NPKS Fertilizers

• Farmers are increasingly adopting NPKS fertilizers for their balanced nutrient composition.
• The 20:20:0:13 NPKS grade, which includes nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and sulfur, is gaining popularity for providing better soil nutrition.

Improvement in Soil Nutrient Ratio

• The use of NPKS fertilizers improved the NPK ratio in Indian soils: From 10.9:4.9:1 in Kharif 2023 to 9.8:3.7:1 in Kharif 2024.

• Nevertheless, this ratio remains below the optimal 4:2:1 level suggested by the Fertiliser Association of India (FAI).

Benefits of Using NPKS Fertilizers

Balanced Nutrient Supply

• NPKS fertilizers deliver nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), and sulfur (S)—essential for plant growth.
• This ensures plants receive adequate nutrition at every growth stage, from root development to fruiting.

Improved Soil Health

• Sulfur, often deficient in Indian soils, promotes:

• Strong root development.
• Activation of key enzymes.
• Improved plant resistance to diseases.

• The inclusion of sulfur enhances soil fertility and facilitates better nutrient absorption.

Higher Crop Yields

• NPKS fertilizers improve photosynthesis, strengthen plant immunity, and enhance flowering and seed formation.
• This boosts overall crop productivity, which is vital for food security.

Supports Sustainable Agriculture

• By improving drought resistance and supporting overall plant growth, NPKS fertilizers help crops thrive under varying environmental conditions.

Types of Chemical Fertilizers Used in Agriculture

Nitrogenous Fertilizers

Essential for chlorophyll production and protein synthesis.

• Urea: Contains 46% nitrogen.
• Ammonium Sulfate: Contains 21% nitrogen and 24% sulfur.
• Calcium Ammonium Nitrate: Contains 26% nitrogen.

Phosphatic Fertilizers

Promote root development, flowering, and seed formation.

• Single Super Phosphate (SSP): Contains 16-20% P2O5, calcium, and sulfur.
• Di-Ammonium Phosphate (DAP): Contains 46% phosphorus and 18% nitrogen.

Potassic Fertilizers

Improve water regulation, enzyme activation, and disease resistance.

• Muriate of Potash (MOP): Contains 60% potassium.
• Sulphate of Potash (SOP): Contains 50% potassium and 18% sulfur.

Complex Fertilizers

Contain multiple primary nutrients to ensure balanced nutrition.

• NPK fertilizers: Example—10:26:26 or 12:32:16.
• NPKS fertilizers: Include sulfur for better soil health.
• Ammonium Phosphate Sulfate (APS): Rich in sulfur, phosphorus, and nitrogen.

Government Initiatives for Fertilizer Management

• PM PRANAM Scheme: Encourages reduction in the use of chemical fertilizers and promotes organic alternatives.
• One Nation One Fertilizer (ONOF): Ensures uniform fertilizer branding and availability across the country.
• Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT): Provides subsidies directly to farmers, ensuring transparency and reducing leakages.
• Nutrient Based Subsidy (NBS): Promotes balanced fertilizer use by offering subsidies based on nutrient content.
• Neem Coated Urea (NCU): Reduces nitrogen loss and promotes more efficient use of fertilizers.

Challenges with Fertilizer Usage in India

Imbalance in Fertilizer Usage

• India’s actual NPK ratio of 9.8:3.7:1 (Kharif 2024) is far from the ideal 4:2:1, leading to soil degradation and nutrient deficiencies.

Overuse of Nitrogenous Fertilizers

India is the world’s second-largest consumer of urea, leading to:

• Soil degradation.
• Water pollution.
• Greenhouse gas emissions.

Heavy subsidies on urea encourage overuse, distorting the fertilizer market.

High Consumption and Low Production

Domestic fertilizer production remains insufficient:

• Production increased from 39 LMT (2014-15) to 503.35 LMT (2023-24).
• Total fertilizer consumption was 83 LMT in 2020-21.

Dependence on Imports

India imports:

• 20% of its urea.
• 50-60% of DAP.
• 100% of MOP.

Dependence on countries like Russia, China, Saudi Arabia, and UAE exposes India to price fluctuations and supply chain disruptions.

Way Forward

• Promote Balanced Fertilizer Use: Increase awareness about balanced fertilizer usage, particularly NPKS fertilizers, to restore soil health.
• Encourage Organic and Bio-fertilizers: Promote organic farming and bio-fertilizers to reduce dependency on synthetic fertilizers and minimize environmental damage.
• Streamline Fertilizer Distribution: Improve subsidy targeting to ensure cost-efficient and balanced fertilizer usage.
• Enhance Domestic Production: Invest in infrastructure and technology to boost domestic production of phosphatic and potassic fertilizers, reducing import dependence.
• Sustainable Policies: Formulate policies tailored to regional soil types and crop-specific nutrient needs, ensuring judicious fertilizer use.

Conclusion

The shift from DAP to NPKS fertilizers highlights the need for balanced fertilizer use to enhance soil health and agricultural productivity. By addressing challenges such as import dependency, overuse of urea, and imbalanced NPK ratios, India can move towards a more sustainable and resilient agricultural sector.