DEREGULATING OF NON-SUBSIDISED FERTILISERS

Why in the News?

The fertiliser industry advocates for deregulating non-subsidised fertilisers as a preliminary step before addressing politically sensitive urea and Nutrient Based Subsidy (NBS).
Water-soluble fertilisers serve as a model for successful deregulation efforts.

Source: HT

About Water-soluble fertilizers:

Water-soluble fertilizers dissolve easily in water, allowing nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium to be quickly absorbed by plants through their roots.
They are often used in hydroponic systems, greenhouse cultivation, and for foliar applications in agriculture.
Despite higher costs, WSFs show greater nutrient utilization efficiency, especially for high-value crops.

NBS Fertilizer Subsidy Program:

Under NBS, farmers receive subsidized fertilizers based on nutrient content (N, P, K & S).
Additional subsidies are provided for fortified fertilizers containing micronutrients like molybdenum and zinc.
Government announces annual subsidies for P&K fertilizers, considering global and local prices, exchange rates, and national inventory.
Objective: Promote balanced NPK fertilization (N:P:K= 4:2:1) to enhance soil health and crop yields.
Expected Outcome: Increased agricultural productivity leading to higher farmer incomes.

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