Answer

Introduction

India’s cereal-centric food security model, driven by intensive rice-wheat cultivation and fertilizer subsidies, has increased agricultural output but also created a “Fertilizer Trap” marked by soil degradation, ecological imbalance, and rising input dependency, threatening long-term sustainability and resilience.

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Fertilizer Trap in Indian Agriculture

• Subsidy Distortion: Heavy fertilizer subsidies encouraged excessive urea use, especially in rice and wheat cultivation, distorting balanced nutrient application.
  Eg: India spends nearly ₹2 lakh crore annually on fertilizer subsidies.
• Monoculture Expansion: MSP-backed rice-wheat monoculture increased dependence on chemical fertilizers for maintaining productivity levels.
  Eg: Punjab-Haryana Green Revolution belt shows high nitrogen-intensive cultivation.
• Soil Degradation: Excessive fertilizer use depleted soil organic matter and reduced natural nutrient-holding capacity threatening long-term crop yields.
• Pollution Losses: Large quantities of fertilizers are lost through runoff, leaching, and emissions instead of crop absorption.
  Eg: Over two-thirds of fertilizer subsidies are effectively lost to pollution.
• Import Dependence: Cereal-focused agriculture increased reliance on imported phosphatic fertilizers and fuel-linked urea production.

Role of Dalhan Atmanirbharta Mission

• Crop Diversification: The mission encourages shifting from rice-wheat monoculture towards pulses cultivation.
  Eg: Promotion of tur, urad, and moong under National Food Security Mission (NFSM)-Pulses.
• Nitrogen Fixation: Pulses naturally fix atmospheric nitrogen, improving soil fertility and reducing dependence on chemical fertilizers, as highlighted by ICAR.
• Water Efficiency: Pulses require significantly less water than paddy cultivation, improving sustainability in water-stressed regions.
  Eg: Millets and pulses promoted in dryland regions under PM-KUSUM-linked diversification efforts.
• Import Reduction: Higher domestic pulses production reduces import dependence and improves nutritional security.
  Eg: India achieved record pulses production >27 million tonnes in recent years.
• Climate Resilience: Pulse-based cropping systems improve soil health and resilience against climate variability.

Limitations of the Mission

• MSP Bias: Procurement systems still favour rice and wheat over pulses, discouraging farmer transition.
• Market Risks: Pulse farmers face high price volatility and uncertain market access.
  Eg: Frequent crashes in tur and chana prices after bumper harvests.
• Yield Gaps: Pulse productivity remains lower compared to cereals due to poor seed replacement and technology adoption.
• Irrigation Constraints: Over 80% pulse cultivation occurs in rainfed areas with limited irrigation infrastructure.
• Awareness Deficit: Farmers often lack extension support regarding sustainable nutrient management and diversified cropping.
  Eg: Soil Health Card recommendations remain unevenly implemented across States.

Conclusion

Escaping the fertilizer trap requires moving beyond cereal-centric policies towards diversified, pulse-based, climate-resilient agriculture. Strengthening Dalhan Atmanirbharta through assured procurement, sustainable farming incentives, and balanced nutrient management can align food security with ecological sustainability and farmer resilience.

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