ScienceTop StoryTop StoryLatest News
Why More Than Half of India's Fertiliser Never Feeds the Crop, and How to Fix It
Sentiment: NeutralHigh Priority
What Happened?
At the Kisan Tak Bharat Agriculture Conference, experts discussed the inefficiency of fertiliser use in India, revealing that much nitrogen escapes before reaching crops. Solutions include better nutrient management and new fertiliser types.
Key points
- Only 30-45% of nitrogen fertiliser is absorbed by plants.
- In eastern Uttar Pradesh, 70 kg of nitrogen is lost from every 100 kg applied.
- Balanced fertilisation is crucial for improving crop yield and quality.
- Farmers often overuse urea due to its low cost and immediate effects.
- New products like biofertilisers could improve nutrient absorption efficiency to 60-70%.
- Pesticides must be used as directed to ensure safety and effectiveness.
Key insights
- Enhanced nutrient management could significantly reduce fertiliser waste.
- Farmers may benefit from government incentives for balanced fertilisation practices.
- Adopting new fertiliser technologies could lead to better crop health and sustainability.
Why it matters
Improving fertiliser efficiency could enhance crop yields and reduce environmental pollution.
Source
India Today
