What is balanced fertilization? Explain the significance of neem-coated urea. (10M, 150 words) [GS-3: Agriculture]

Introduction

• Balanced fertilisation refers to the use of nutrients like nitrogen (N), phosphate (P), and potash (K) in ratios tailored to the specific needs of the soil and crop.
• This approach aims to discourage excessive use of high-concentration nutrients like urea, di-ammonium phosphate (DAP), and muriate of potash (MOP), and is likely to become a significant policy focus for the government.
• Urea usage reached a record 35.8 million tonnes in the fiscal year ending March 2024, a 16.9% increase from 30.6 million tonnes in 2013-14.
• Notably, urea consumption decreased between 2016-17 and 2017-18 due to the introduction of neem-coated urea in May 2015.

Body

Importance of Balanced Fertilisation:

• Fertilisers are essential for crop growth and yield, providing primary (N, P, K), secondary (sulphur-S, calcium, magnesium), and micro (iron, zinc, copper, manganese, boron, molybdenum) nutrients.
• Balanced fertilisation ensures these nutrients are supplied in the correct proportions based on soil type and crop requirements at different growth stages.

Neem-Coated Urea:

• In 2015, the Government of India mandated 100% neem coating of all subsidised agricultural urea.
• Neem oil, containing 150 ppm azadirachtin, was used to coat urea, preventing its diversion for non-agricultural uses such as in plywood, dye, bovine feed, and synthetic milk production.
• The neem coating also acted as a nitrification inhibitor, leading to a more gradual release of nitrogen, thereby improving nitrogen utilisation efficiency and reducing the quantity of urea needed per acre.

Conclusion

Nutrient-Based Subsidy (NBS) System:

• Introduced in April 2010, the NBS system was designed to promote balanced fertilisation.
• Under NBS, the government set a per-kg subsidy for N, P, K, and S, linking subsidies to the nutrient content of fertilisers.
• This policy aimed to encourage product innovation and reduce dependence on high-concentration fertilisers like urea, DAP, and MOP, in favor of complex fertilisers containing balanced proportions of N, P, K, S, and other nutrients.
• By implementing such balanced fertilisation practices, India can ensure sustainable agricultural productivity, minimize environmental impact, and enhance the efficiency of nutrient use in farming.