Phosphatic Fertilizers

Phosphatic Fertilizers

Subject: Geography

Section: Environment Geography

Context – India to become AtmaNirbhar in Phosphatic Fertilisers.

Concept-

• The agricultural sector’s success largely depends on the fertiliser industry, which manufactures some of the most important raw materials required for production of crops.
• Moreover, the Indian fertiliser industry is extremely crucial as it produces phosphorous-based fertilisers such as
  • diammonium phosphate (DAP),
  • monoammonium phosphate (MAP),
  • nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium (NPKs) and
  • single superphosphate (SSP).
• DAP is the world’s most widely used phosphorus fertilizer. It is popular due to its relatively high nutrient content and its excellent physical properties.
• DAP is an excellent source of phosphorus (P) and nitrogen (N) for plant nutrition.
• It provides the correct proportion of phosphorous and nitrogen for the farming of grains such as wheat, barley, fruits, and vegetables.
• To manufacture these fertilisers, the country mainly depends on rock phosphate, which is a common, key raw material and largely sourced from Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh.
• Despite this, India imports 90% rock phosphate from other countries.

Current production of phosphatic fertilisers in India:

• The fertiliser industry is highly regulated and monitored by the Indian government.
• Following this, the government reimburses the price difference between the cost of fertiliser production and price at which it is sold to the beneficiary in the form of subsidy.
• According to government data, the overall fertilisers production stood at 37 million metric tonnes, a 3% increase in the first 10 months of FY2021 compared with 36 million in the first 10 months of FY2020.
• Moreover, the country’s import dependence (i.e., imports as a proportion of production plus imports) rose from 36% in first 10 months of FY2020 to 38% in the first 10 months of FY2021.

Steps taken to boost production of rock phosphate:

• To make India self-reliant in production of fertilisers through indigenous resources, the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilisers, under the Indian government, rolled out the following action plan:

1. Rise in subsidy rates of phosphorus-based fertilisers: In June 2021, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs approved the proposal to hike subsidy rates for phosphorus-based fertilisers by 140% in a bid to provide relief to farmers owing to the start of kharif sowing season. This additional subsidy, which totalled Rs. 14,775 crore (US$ 1.98 billion), was announced as a one-time measure as of the COVID-19 relief.
2. Expand production of phosphorite deposits: The Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilisers directed domestic manufacturing companies to commercially exploit and increase production in the existing phosphorite deposits (three million metric tonnes), which are available in Rajasthan, Hirapur in Madhya Pradesh, central part of Peninsular India, Lalitpur in Uttar Pradesh, Mussoorie Syncline in Uttarakhand and Cuddapah Basin in Andhra Pradesh.
3. Explore potential potassic ore resources: The Department of Mining and Geological Survey planned to expedite exploration of potential potassic ore resources in Rajasthan’s Satpura, Bharusari and Lakhasar; and other states including Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka.
4. Encourage joint ventures abroad: The Department of Mining and Geological Survey planned to expedite exploration of potential potassic ore resources in Rajasthan’s Satpura, Bharusari and Lakhasar; and other states including Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka.
5. Focus on acquiring manufacturers of fertiliser raw materials aboard: The Department of Fertilisers is working to acquire manufacturers of fertilisers and raw materials overseas to secure the supply of raw materials to India.

Why need Phosphorus?

• Phosphorus is an essential nutrient required for plant growth. It helps in root development, plant maturation, and seed development.
• If soils are deficient in phosphorus, food production becomes restricted, unless the nutrient is added in the form of fertilizers.
• Hence, to increase food production, an adequate amount of phosphorus is required.
• Along with nitrogen and potassium, phosphorus is one of the most important elements for plant life.
• Soil gets depleted of phosphorus due to several reasons including being washed away by rain. Therefore, modern farming is reliant on the use of phosphorus-based fertilizers.