Agriculture remains the principal source of livelihood for the majority of the population in India and agrochemicals (Chemical fertilizers and pesticides) contribute significantly to its growth. However, use of synthetic fertilisers and pesticide has drastically increased several folds since the Green Revolution.

India is now one of the leading producers of agrochemicals in the world. But non-scientific and excessive application of synthetic fertilisers and pesticides damages not only the environment and life of agricultural land but also have entered into the food chain thereby affecting plant, human, and animal health.

In order to reduce the negative impact on the ecological dynamics, use of fertilisers and pesticides should be reduced and sustainable alternatives should be explored.

State of Synthetic Fertiliser and Pesticide Usage in India

• Fertilisers:During FY20, India consumed about 61 million tonnes of fertiliser, of which 55% was urea, in FY21, this figure is estimated to have risen to 65 million tonnes.
  • Currently, the fertiliser productionof the country is 42-45 million tonnes, and imports are at around 18 million tonnes.
  • A subsidy is paid by the Centre for urea fertiliser,based on the cost of production at each plant. Fertiliser manufacturers are required to sell the product at the government''s Maximum Retail Price (MRP).
• Pesticides: Pesticidesare regulated in India through the Insecticides Act, 1968 and Insecticides Rules, 1971.
  • Insecticides, herbicides, rodenticides, and fungicidesare examples of well-known pesticides.
  • The Indian pesticides market reached a value of aroundINR 212 billion in 2021 and is expected to reach INR 320 Billion by 2027.

Recent Government Initiatives for Sustainable Farming

• Promotion of Alternate Nutrients for Agriculture Management Yojana(PRANAM)
• Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY)
• Liquid Nano-Urea Fertiliser

Issues Associated with Chemical Fertilisers and Pesticides

• Inappropriate Use of Fertilisers: 292 out of the 525 districts (56%)in the country account for 85% of its fertiliser use. In addition, the ratio of consumption of fertiliser has been skewed towards urea.
  • Since, there are no restrictions on who can buy subsidised fertiliser, or on how much they can buy, overuse of fertilisers in cultivation is increased, as well as theurea is getting diverted to other industries (like dairy, textile, paint, fisheries, etc.)
    • Overuse of urea has led tofalling crop response to fertilisers, which, in turn, has decreased farm productivity and farmers’ profitability adversely.
  • Biomagnification:The chemicals used in the synthetic fertilisers contain highly toxic substances resulting in accumulation of toxic substances (biomagnification) in the tissues of organisms at successively higher levels in a food chain deteriorating their health.
  • Creating Dead Zones:Chemical fertilisers contain phosphates, nitrates, when left unused in soil can run off into coastal waters, lakes and streams, resulting in eutrophication ( addition of excessive amounts of nutrients).
    • It also catalyses the growth of algae. The algae deplete the water of oxygen before decomposing, suffocating species that live in the area aids the creation of dead zones.
  • Deteriorating Soil Health:Agrochemicals overuse can contribute to soil acidification, thereby reducing the content of organic matter (humus content) stunting plant growth and even leading to the release of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.
  • Disproportionate Usage of Pesticides:Due to lack of scientific awareness regarding the proportionate use of pesticide, a large number of farmers in India end up using excessive amounts of pesticides.
    • Also,pesticide licensing and marketing lacks proper regulation in India including interdepartmental cooperation and coordination. It is estimated that over 104 pesticides that are still produced/used in India, have been banned in two or more countries in the world.

Looking Ahead

• Inclusion of Bio-Fertilizers:Use of biofertilizers (like Rhizobium) should be promoted as they are cost effective, eco-friendly and when they are required in bulk can be generated at the farm itself. They increase crop yield up to 10-40% and fix nitrogen up to 40-50 Kg.
• Ensuring Year-Round Ground Cover: In erosion-prone regions,farmers can plant cover crops or perennial species to prevent periods of bare ground on farm fields when the soil (and the soil and nutrients it contains) are most susceptible to erosion and loss into waterways.
  • Also, trees, shrubs and grasses can be planted along the edges of fields, especially important for a field that borders water bodies.
    • Planted bufferscan help prevent nutrient loss from fields by absorbing or filtering out nutrients before they reach a water body.
  • Rural Fertiliser Banks:Fertilisers can be regulated by setting up rural fertiliser banks. Aadhaar-linked accounts should be required for fertiliser purchases, and digital records of sales can be kept that can be used at the time of crop surveillance.
    • In addition, nano-ureashould be promoted as well.
  • Crop Audit and Farmer Awareness:Panchayat level crop audit can be conducted by experts from time to time to trace the content of fertilisers and pesticides. Also, multiple awareness programmes are needed to inform farmers about proportionate use of fertiliser and pesticide.
  • Towards Organic Farming:A slow but significant shift towards chemical-free agriculture is required, as well as promoting natural and organic methods like using manure, crop rotation, intercropping, biological pest control, which consumes less energy, reduces nitrogen runoff induced pollution, and is a frontline fighter to tackle global warming.