The Implications of Urea Overuse in India

Urea usage is increasing: The usage of urea has increased, resulting in a decrease in crop yield response to fertiliser use and an imbalance in nutrient application.
Unbalanced fertilisation: The nutrient-based subsidy structure does not promote balanced fertilisation.
Several measures were ineffective: The Indian government’s initiatives to minimise urea use, such as neem-coating, smaller sacks, and Nano Urea, have not proven successful.

Urea is a nitrogen-containing fertiliser that provides crops with the nutrients they require for growth and development.
It is a white, crystalline substance that is water soluble and has a high nitrogen concentration (about 46% nitrogen by weight).
Urea, which is generated from ammonia and carbon dioxide, is widely utilised in agriculture because to its high nitrogen content and low cost.
It is a primary supplier of nitrogen for crops, and when administered correctly, it can raise crop yields and overall agricultural output.
In India, urea is used.

The introduction of these measures was aimed at reducing urea consumption in the country.
Neem-coated urea: In May 2015, the Indian government demanded that all urea produced in the country, as well as imported urea, be neem-coated to prevent unlawful diversion for non-agricultural use.
Size reduction: In March 2018, the government switched from 50-kg urea sacks to 45-kg bags.
Liquid Nano Urea: The Indian Farmers’ Fertiliser Cooperative (IFFCO) just launched a liquid fertiliser called ‘Nano Urea’ in June 2021.
The ineffectiveness of the preceding measures
Despite the implementation of these steps, the country’s urea consumption has not dropped.
In fact, urea sales reached a new high of 35.7 million tonnes (mt) in the fiscal year ending March 31, 2023.
Although consumption fell in the first two years after neem-coating was fully implemented, this trend reversed in 2018-19.

In April 2010, the government implemented the nutrient-based subsidy (NBS) policy.
Each fertiliser nutrient – nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), and sulphur (S) – received a per-kg subsidy under the scheme.
The goal was to encourage balanced fertilisation and dissuade farmers from using excessive amounts of urea, di-ammonium phosphate (DAP), and muriate of potash (MOP).
The results, however, suggest that the nutritional imbalance has worsened, with urea consumption increasing by more than a third since 2009-10.
Nitrogen utilisation efficiency (NUE) has decreased from 48.2% in 1962-1963 to 34.7% in 2018.

Fertilisers are necessary for plant growth and crop yield, but their abuse has resulted in an imbalance in nutrient application.
Crop production response to fertiliser use has reduced, with farmers’ disproportionate application of nitrogen being a major cause.
According to recent study, nitrogen use efficiency in India has decreased, necessitating the promotion of alternate fertilisers containing various nutrients.

Two ways can be taken to solve the issue of increased urea consumption.
Disincentive: The first option is to raise prices, but this is politically impossible.
Improve nitrogen usage efficiency (NUE) by making the incorporation of urease and nitrification inhibitors in urea mandatory.

Source: https://www.financialexpress.com/opinion/indias-fertiliser-drain-urea-of-darkness/1781237/