How increase in domestic organic fertilizer production will lower the cost of imports
Deccan Chronicle
2023.06.27
The import bill is a major concern for any nation, as imports can typically be more expensive than domestic production. One way to reduce India import bill is by using organic fertilizers. In 2021, India imported urea fertilizer worth 6,523.53 million USD, Phosphate fertilizer worth 4,169.95 million USD and 1,036.79 million USD worth of Potassium based fertilizers. The total amount of all kinds of fertilizers imported in 2021–2022 was 12,765.66 million USD. The country imports urea, DAP, MOP, and other fertilizers mainly from China, United Arab Emirates, and Spain.
Organic fertilizers such as fermented organic manure (the output of a biogas plant), compost, vermicompost, biofertilizers, and green manures are derived from natural sources and can be used as an alternative to synthetic fertilizers. These sources provide organic carbon apart from other essential nutrients, which is essential for healthy crop growth.
Organic fertilizers can be cheaper, more locally available, and more sustainable than chemical fertilizers. They help maintain soil fertility, improve soil structure, and increase soil microbial activity, along with a reduction in the risk of soil erosion. Organic fertilizers also help in reducing the environmental impact of chemical fertilizers, such as pollution and contamination of groundwater. All of this leads to more sustainable development goals.
The import bill is a major concern for any nation, as imports can typically be more expensive than domestic production. One way to reduce India import bill is by using organic fertilizers. In 2021, India imported urea fertilizer worth 6,523.53 million USD, Phosphate fertilizer worth 4,169.95 million USD and 1,036.79 million USD worth of Potassium based fertilizers. The total amount of all kinds of fertilizers imported in 2021–2022 was 12,765.66 million USD. The country imports urea, DAP, MOP, and other fertilizers mainly from China, United Arab Emirates, and Spain.
Organic fertilizers such as fermented organic manure (the output of a biogas plant), compost, vermicompost, biofertilizers, and green manures are derived from natural sources and can be used as an alternative to synthetic fertilizers. These sources provide organic carbon apart from other essential nutrients, which is essential for healthy crop growth.
Organic fertilizers can be cheaper, more locally available, and more sustainable than chemical fertilizers. They help maintain soil fertility, improve soil structure, and increase soil microbial activity, along with a reduction in the risk of soil erosion. Organic fertilizers also help in reducing the environmental impact of chemical fertilizers, such as pollution and contamination of groundwater. All of this leads to more sustainable development goals.
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