The balanced use of fertilisers has emerged as a critical enabler of sustainable agriculture in India, aligning the twin objectives of higher productivity and long-term soil health while minimising environmental risks. With rising pressure on land, water and natural resources, balanced fertilisation is increasingly being recognised as a science-based approach essential for sustaining agricultural growth, farmer incomes and food security.
Balanced fertilisation refers to the application of all essential plant nutrients, including macronutrients and micronutrients, in appropriate proportions, quantities, timing and methods, based on crop requirements, soil fertility status and prevailing agro-climatic conditions. Unlike conventional practices that focus largely on nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, this approach adopts a holistic nutrient management strategy that accounts for secondary nutrients, micronutrients and soil biological health.
India’s agricultural transformation during the Green Revolution of the mid-1960s was driven by the introduction of fertiliser-responsive high-yielding varieties of rice and wheat, expanded irrigation and increased use of chemical fertilisers. This led to a sharp rise in foodgrain production, transforming the country from a food-deficit nation into one that is largely self-sufficient and increasingly export-oriented. However, the productivity gains achieved through intensive cultivation and heavy fertiliser use also revealed structural weaknesses over time.
Continuous cropping, excessive dependence on nitrogenous fertilisers and declining use of organic manures have resulted in widespread nutrient imbalances and deterioration of soil health. Depletion of micronutrients, degradation of soil structure and increased nutrient losses through runoff and leaching have adversely affected crop growth, yield stability and produce quality. Nutrient-deficient soils have also contributed to higher pest and disease incidence, while poor-quality fodder has affected livestock health and productivity, highlighting the interconnected nature of crop and livestock systems.
Recognising these challenges, the Indian Council of Agricultural Research initiated the All India Coordinated Research Project on Long-Term Fertiliser Experiments to assess the sustained impact of fertiliser use on soil health and crop productivity across diverse agro-ecological regions. The findings provided strong empirical evidence of nutrient mining and soil degradation under imbalanced fertilisation, reinforcing the need for rational nutrient management policies.
Balanced fertilisation improves nutrient use efficiency by maximising plant uptake and reducing losses, while supporting synergistic interactions among nutrients that enhance crop performance. It sustains soil organic matter, improves soil structure and biological activity, and helps bridge the gap between potential and realised yields. Environmentally, it reduces nutrient runoff, groundwater contamination and greenhouse gas emissions associated with excessive or skewed fertiliser application.
The scientific foundation of balanced fertilisation is rooted in Justus von Liebig’s Law of the Minimum, which states that crop growth is limited by the most deficient nutrient, irrespective of the abundance of others. This principle underscores the inefficiency of excessive application of a single nutrient when other essential elements remain limiting.
Achieving balanced fertilisation requires a multi-pronged approach combining scientific tools, technology adoption and farmer participation. Integrated Nutrient Management plays a central role by blending chemical fertilisers with organic inputs such as compost, farmyard manure, green manures and biological sources. Crop rotation and residue management further improve nutrient cycling, soil fertility and pest control.
Soil test–based fertiliser recommendations are fundamental to this process. Under the Soil Health Card Scheme, farmers receive plot-wise diagnostic reports covering key macronutrients, micronutrients and soil properties such as pH, electrical conductivity and organic carbon. These cards, issued every two years, enable farmers to apply fertilisers more precisely and avoid overuse. As of mid-November 2025, over 25.55 crore soil health cards had been distributed nationwide, supported by extensive farmer training programmes and field demonstrations.
Advanced approaches such as Soil Test Crop Response, Diagnosis and Recommendation Integrated System and Site-Specific Nutrient Management further refine fertiliser application by linking nutrient doses to yield targets, plant tissue analysis and intra-field variability. These methods help prevent over- and under-application, improve fertiliser efficiency and support sustainable intensification.
Regenerative agriculture complements balanced fertilisation by restoring soil health through reduced tillage, crop rotation, cover cropping, mulching and agroforestry. Improved soil structure and organic matter enhance nutrient retention and water-holding capacity, reducing the need for repeated fertiliser applications and supporting climate-resilient farming systems.
To promote balanced nutrient use at scale, the Government of India has implemented a range of policy and programme interventions. The Nutrient-Based Subsidy Scheme incentivises the balanced application of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and sulphur by linking subsidies to nutrient content rather than product type. For the Rabi season 2025–26, approved subsidy rates were effective from October 1, 2025, to March 31, 2026, with more than ₹2.04 lakh crore allocated between 2022–23 and 2024–25 for phosphatic and potassic fertilisers.
The nationwide shift to neem-coated urea, fully implemented by December 2015, has improved nitrogen use efficiency by slowing nutrient release and reducing losses. This has helped curb excessive urea use while enhancing soil health and crop response.
Organic and natural farming initiatives, including the Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana, support balanced nutrient management through compost, biofertilisers and traditional practices. As of October 2025, the scheme had covered nearly 16.90 lakh hectares. The PM Programme for Restoration, Awareness, Nourishment and Amelioration of Mother Earth encourages reduced chemical fertiliser use and incentivises States that achieve measurable reductions, with 14 States recording significant declines during 2023–24.
The promotion of nano fertilisers represents another innovation, enabling precise nutrient delivery with minimal waste. Nano urea and nano DAP are being made widely available through Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samridhi Kendras, supported by nationwide awareness campaigns, field demonstrations and the use of drones and battery-operated sprayers for efficient application.
To protect farmer interests and maintain the integrity of the fertiliser supply chain, the Department of Fertilisers, in coordination with the Department of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare and State authorities, conducted extensive enforcement drives during the Kharif and Rabi seasons of 2025–26. These actions included inspections, licence suspensions, cancellations and the registration of FIRs to curb diversion and misuse.
Balanced fertilisation has thus become central to India’s strategy for sustainable agricultural development. Through a combination of science-based recommendations, policy support, technological innovation and farmer-centric interventions, the country is working to restore soil health, optimise input use and ensure long-term productivity. These efforts reinforce the broader goal of environmentally responsible, economically viable and resilient agriculture.
