Like many other celebrated narratives of modern development, agriculture in India is becoming increasingly distressed. Ironically, this deterioration continues to be hailed by society, governments, and corporate interests as a sign of progress. The critical question is: if farming continues along its present trajectory, how long can it survive? More importantly, will this crisis not eventually threaten human existence itself?
India's fertile soils are steadily being poisoned by chemicals. Agricultural lands are losing their productivity and turning barren. The latest report of the Ministry of Agriculture (2025–26) reveals that 11 districts of Madhya Pradesh are among the top 100 districts in the country with the highest consumption of DAP (Di-Ammonium Phosphate). This makes Madhya Pradesh the second-largest consumer of chemical fertilizers in India.
Most of the districts on this list are regions where summer moong cultivation is widespread. In particular, districts along the Narmada River have recorded the highest consumption of DAP and urea. Narmadapuram (formerly Hoshangabad), Sehore, Harda, and Jabalpur have witnessed intensive use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides in moong cultivation. At the same time, a report by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) notes that 91 percent of farmers received no fertilizer-related training or advisory support from the agriculture department.
According to the Economic Survey 2024–25, agriculture and allied sectors contribute nearly 16 percent to India's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and provide livelihood support to more than 46 percent of the population. To sustain this production, approximately 60.1 million metric tonnes of chemical fertilizers and between 55,000 and 60,000 tonnes of chemical pesticides are used annually. India is the world's second-largest consumer and third-largest producer of fertilizers. Data from the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers indicate that Indian farmers used only 700,000 tonnes of chemical fertilizers in 1950–51.
The raw materials required for fertilizer production are largely imported. Nearly 70 percent of India's urea imports come from Oman, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates. In the case of DAP, Saudi Arabia alone accounts for more than 40 percent of imports. Disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz and other major shipping routes have affected supplies of natural gas, a critical input in the production of both urea and DAP.
Rising import costs and elevated natural gas prices have sharply increased the government's fertilizer subsidy burden. Estimates suggest that total fertilizer subsidies could reach ₹3.4 lakh crore in 2026. At the same time, agricultural scientists warn that excessive use of chemical fertilizers damages not only crop productivity but also soil health, environmental quality, and the health of humans and animals consuming agricultural produce.
Toxins entering the food chain through grains and vegetables are contributing to a growing range of illnesses. According to a report by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), nearly 30 percent of India's land is on the verge of degradation due to the increasing use of chemical fertilizers. Excessive application of urea has seriously disrupted the nitrogen cycle. Nitrous oxide, a potent greenhouse gas, plays a significant role in accelerating climate change. The widespread use of pesticides is also contaminating groundwater and ecosystems.
One of the most significant turning points in Indian agricultural history was the Green Revolution launched in 1967–68. Its foundation rested on assured irrigation, high-yielding seed varieties, and intensive use of fertilizers and pesticides. While the Green Revolution helped India achieve food self-sufficiency, by the 1980s the model itself had begun to show signs of crisis. Escalating cultivation costs pushed many farmers into debt traps, with some driven to the tragic step of suicide. This is no longer merely an agricultural crisis; it is a crisis that threatens the survival and well-being of future generations.
India faces the challenge of balancing environmental protection, population growth, and the demands of agricultural production. Yet, if farmers are to be rescued from this cycle of dependency and debt, a transition toward organic and sustainable farming is imperative. Experts argue that reducing the use of chemical fertilizers gradually and carefully is both possible and necessary. Success will depend on promoting alternatives such as bio-fertilizers, organic manure, compost, nano-products, and, in the future, green ammonia.
Natural and organic farming methods offer the possibility of increasing production without harming the environment. Studies suggest that natural farming can reduce carbon emissions by 35 to 50 percent. Often described as "no-input" or "zero-budget" farming, natural agriculture minimizes or eliminates external inputs such as fertilizers, pesticides, and even conventional manure. Instead, it relies on ecological processes, encouraging soil microorganisms and earthworms to decompose organic matter and maintain soil fertility.
Recognizing the dangers posed by excessive fertilizer use, the Government of India has recently taken a noteworthy step. In June this year, the Ministry of Agriculture launched the nationwide "Khet Bachao Abhiyan" (Save the Fields Campaign). Conducted under the supervision of the Ministry of Agriculture and the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) from June 1 to June 30, 2026, the campaign's primary objective is to restore soil fertility and reduce the mounting costs of cultivation.
The PM-PRANAM scheme, introduced in the Union Budget of 2023–24, seeks to reward states that successfully reduce chemical fertilizer consumption. Savings generated from subsidy reductions are intended to be invested in local development projects. State governments have also been urged to ensure the judicious use and efficient distribution of fertilizers.
Yet the scale of the challenge remains enormous. Of India's nearly 150 million farmers, only around four million currently practice organic farming. Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Rajasthan are among the leading states in this transition, while Sikkim became India's first fully organic state as early as 2016.
According to the Department of Farmers' Welfare and Agriculture Development, Madhya Pradesh produces nearly 1.5 million tonnes of organic products annually, of which more than 500,000 tonnes are exported. Both demand and production of organic products are rising steadily, with India's organic market now valued at approximately ₹16,800 crore.
The continuing increase in DAP and urea consumption is a warning sign that Indian agriculture is becoming trapped in a cycle of chemical dependence from which escape will become increasingly difficult. Unless decisive action is taken today to protect soil fertility, biodiversity, and the economic well-being of farmers, future generations will be forced to bear an enormous cost. The health of our land, and ultimately our own survival, depends on the choices we make now.
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*With Bargi Dam Displaced and Affected People's Association
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