This research assesses India's fertilizer industry and examines why farmers in Madhya Pradesh (MP) shift from chemical
to organic fertilizers. The Indian fertilizer market has grown significantly,
reaching INR 898.5 billion in 2022 and is projected to reach INR 1,188.3 billion
by 2028. A gap analysis found no significant difference in the consumption of
nitrogen, phosphate, potassic, and NPK fertilizers. However, nitrogen and
phosphate fertilizers are in higher demand domestically and internationally.
Fertilizer exports from India have a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of
17.5%. The study observed fluctuating subsidy values over the past decade,
increasing at INR 4,928 crore per year, indicating changes in government
policies. A survey of 200 farmers in an MP village revealed negative effects of
chemical fertilizers and profit motives as the main reasons for switching to
organic fertilizers. Government schemes supporting the use of organic
fertilizers are also discussed.
Key words: consumption, Export, import, organic fertilizers,
production, subsidy
Introduction
Fertilizers play a crucial role in enhancing plant growth
and increasing crop yield. India's fertilizer market has experienced
significant growth, reaching INR 898.5 billion in 2022, with a projected growth
rate (CAGR) of 4.85% to reach INR 1,188.3 billion by 2028. The country has a
substantial demand for fertilizers, with exports reaching USD 84.99 million in
2021. However, fertilizer production in India has had minimal growth, resulting
in a dependence on imports that increased by 48.22% from FY 2016-17 to FY
2020-21.
Concerns about the negative impact of chemical fertilizers
on soil fertility have led to a shift towards organic fertilizers. Farmers are
increasingly using organic or homemade bio-fertilizers instead of chemical
alternatives. The Indian fertilizer market is expected to grow at a CAGR of
2.91% during 2021-2026, with a focus on reaching a production level of 70.64
million tons by 2025-26.
This study aims to analyze the trends in India's fertilizer
exports and imports, identify the socio-economic and environmental factors
driving the transition to organic fertilizers, examine government subsidies and
measures promoting organic alternatives, conduct a survey among farmers to
understand their reasons for switching, and propose strategies for the overall
development of the fertilizers industry with an emphasis on increasing the use
of organic fertilizers.
Literature Review
Vilas Jadhav1 and Ramappa, K.B (2021) Researcher estimated the growth of fertilizer
consumption in India and forecasted it up to the year 2030 and both supply side
and demand side factors which influences it. The results indicated that
consumption of fertilizers had been increased at the rate of 4.16 per cent. The
demand side determinants like area under irrigation reflected at the rate of
1.42 per cent growth, average minimum support prices showed a growth rate of 7
per cent and a short term institutional credit registered a growth rate of 17
per cent. Area under irrigation and sum of average MSP encourages the
fertilizer consumption substantially. The supply side factors viz., production,
import and subsidy were influencing the fertilizer consumption significantly.
The total fertilizer demand is expected to reach at 57 million tons by 2030 and
at the same time, rate of consumption might enhance to 277 kg per hectare. It
is concluded that import is unavoidable to meet the gap between domestic
production and total demand.Mohammad usama&monowaralam Khalid (2018)The paper also aims to recommend that
fertilizers should be used in a balanced manner through integrated management
of nutrient involving the use of chemical fertilizers, biofertilizers, compost
and vermicompost. Balanced use of fertilizers will reduce harmful effects of
chemical fertilizers on the environment and will help in making our agriculture
sustainable. It also increases water and nutrients use efficiency, improve
grain quality, soil health and give better economic returns to farmers and
helps in sustainability. So, for sustainable growth in agriculture sector, it
is imperative to reduce demand of chemical fertilizers without hampering food
production. AbhishekPathak,PushkarDubey,D R Sanjay Pandey(2014)This research paper attempts
to present a
broad view of
fertilizer Industry in
Indian perspective. The article
attempts to present
a broad view
of fertilizer Industry
in Indian perspective. With the growing requirement
India has witnessed tremendous growth in agricultural output; simultaneously
consumption of fertilizer has also increased.
In order to fulfill the increasing demand of fertilizer, there is a need
to produce fertilizer both in qualitative and quantitative means. India’s southern stateshave been
consuming relatively more fertilizer than the rest of the zones. West
and east zone states are below power in fertilizer consumption. Shan Zheng Keqing Yin Lianghong Yu (2022)In this paper, after a questionnaire survey on 889
farmers' chemical fertilizer application behavior, researcher analyze farmers' chemical fertilizer
reduction behavior and its influencing factors at the theoretical and empirical
levels. Further, researcher analyze the
influence of farmers' differentiation on farmers' chemical fertilizer reduction
behavior. The researcher concluded that the evolution of farmer
differentiation, different types of farmers have different degrees of
dependence on agriculture, and their chemical fertilizer reduction and
application behaviors also different.Shuyan Li, Jijin Li, Bangxi
Zhang, Danyang Li, Guoxue Li& Yangyang Li (2017 ) showed that organic fertilizers
significantly increased vegetable yield and quality, but with inappropriate application may cause serious
environmental risk such as nitrate pollution.
Arvind
Kumar Shukla1, Sanjib
Kumar Behera1, S. K.
Chaudhari2 and Gajendra Singh(2022) In this paper the researcher conclude
that The changes in government policies pertaining to fertilizer distribution
and use have impacted significantly the nutrient use ratio. Overuse or misuse
or imbalanced application of fertilizer nutrients and sheer negligence in the
application of secondary and micronutrients have been responsible for the lower
utilization of applied nutrients, leading to the accumulation of fertilizer
nutrients in the soil and/or leakage to the environment, and thus causing
environmental degradation and climate change. The compounded harmful effects of
imbalanced fertilizer use are not only intensifying soil and atmospheric
pollution but also impacting water bodies (eutrophication) and causing threat
to biodiversity and human health. The increased use of fertilizer-N has direct
bearing on higher total N2O emission and low N use efficiency (15-30%). As per
estimates, India emits about 6.24 Tg yr-1 of reactive nitrogen (Nr), though
contribution from agricultural fields is not really alarming stringent policies
on balanced fertilizer use, besides facilitating integrated nutrient management
with locally available organic manures/crop residues and cultivation of
efficient crop genotypes.Razzak et al. (2004) in their article outlined use the
recommended fertilizer, in recommended dose and at recommended time essential
for getting maximum advantages, determined difficulty faced by farmers in
Pakistan in the procurement of fertilizer . The author suggested policy
measures to enhance the productivity in the farm land through farmer’s
education, price reduction, improved storage and transportation facilities,
improved administrative facilities etc Singh
(2013) in his research paper highlighted the role of Chemical fertilizers in
making the country self-reliant in food grain production. Attempts have been
made to study issues like demand and supply position, consumption trends,
growth factor of fertilizer in India. The author mentioned that there are
various determinants like price factor and non price factor (better seeds,
irrigation, and credit) which influence the demand of fertilizers. The study
revealed that non-price factor (better seed, irrigation, credit) play more
important role in increasing demand of fertilizers as compared to price factor.
Quader (2009) in his research paper focused on strategic program to contribute
towards growth and development of fertilizer sector in Bangladesh. He estimated
the expected demand of fertilizer in Bangladesh, current production capacity
and supply of fertilizer. It was found that gap between fertilizer demand and
supply was continuously increasing. In order to fulfill the increasing demand
of fertilizer product there was need to increase production unit and also the
total installed capacity of the fertilizer companies. He suggested the plants
needed to be planned and built without loss of time, possible plant location,
type of plant; total investment and implementation time are some of the crucial
factors for developing the fertilizer sector in Bangladesh for sustainable
agriculture During 1950s to 1970s considerable number of nitrogen fixing
bacteria were found to be associated with crop. Several soil microbiologists
suggests that Nitrogen fixing bacteria associated with the plants may be the
source of ergonomically significant nitrogen inputs to the sugarcane crop in
Brazil (Ray and Handerson, 2001). A number of micro-organisms (bacteria, fungi
and algae) are considered as beneficial for agriculture and used as bio
fertilizers. Microbial consortia are inoculated in the field for the
improvement and supply of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and other essential
elements which are necessary for the proper growth of plants. Micro-organisms
produce a range of extra cellular enzyme which has the potential to mediate
utilization of organic sources of nitrogen and phosphorus in soil (Saxena and
Joshi, 2002b).
DATA
ANALYSIS & INTERPRETATION
Production
Import consumption of fertilizers (thousand tones IN NUTRIETS)
Here is a table summarizing the production, import,
and consumption of fertilizers in thousand tons of nutrients for the years
2012-2023:
|
fertilizer
Type |
Production
(A) |
Import
(B) |
Consumption
(C) |
Consumption
- Production (G=C-P) |
Consumption
- Import (G=C-I) |
|
Nitrogenous
Fertilizers |
|||||
|
2012-13 |
12194 |
4801 |
16821 |
4627 |
12020 |
|
2013-14 |
12378 |
3920 |
16750 |
4372 |
11949 |
|
2014-15 |
12394 |
4766 |
16946 |
4552 |
12180 |
|
2015-16 |
13416 |
5068 |
17372 |
3956 |
12304 |
|
2016-2017 |
13354 |
3385 |
16735 |
3381 |
13350 |
|
2017-18 |
13386 |
3588 |
16958 |
3572 |
13370 |
|
2018-19 |
13344 |
4701 |
17628 |
4284 |
12927 |
|
2019-20 |
13687 |
5191 |
19101 |
5414 |
13910 |
|
2020-21 |
13715 |
5633 |
20404 |
6689 |
14771 |
|
2021-22 |
13839 |
5359 |
19438 |
5599 |
14079 |
|
2022-23 |
7666 |
2126 |
18249 |
10583 |
16123 |
|
Phosphate
Fertilizer |
|||||
|
2012-13 |
3830 |
2797 |
6653 |
2823 |
3856 |
|
2013-14 |
3960 |
1588 |
5633 |
1673 |
4045 |
|
2014-15 |
4121 |
1832 |
6098 |
1977 |
4266 |
|
2015-16 |
4394 |
2888 |
6979 |
2585 |
4091 |
|
2016-17 |
4595 |
2130 |
6705 |
2110 |
4575 |
|
2017-18 |
4723 |
2047 |
6854 |
2131 |
4807 |
|
2018-19 |
4594 |
3167 |
6968 |
2374 |
3801 |
|
2019-20 |
4791 |
2413 |
7662 |
2871 |
5249 |
|
2020-21 |
4739 |
2543 |
8978 |
4239 |
6435 |
|
2021-22 |
4714 |
2781 |
7829 |
3115 |
5048 |
|
2022-23 |
2385 |
1629 |
6548 |
4163 |
4919 |
|
Potassic
Fertilizer |
|
|
|
|
|
|
2012-2013 |
- |
1559 |
2062 |
- |
503 |
|
2013-14 |
- |
1926 |
2099 |
- |
173 |
|
2014-15 |
|
2537 |
2532 |
|
-5 |
|
2015-16 |
|
2053 |
2402 |
- |
349 |
|
2016-17 |
|
2325 |
2508 |
- |
183 |
|
2017-18 |
|
2895 |
2779 |
- |
-116 |
|
2018-19 |
|
2629 |
2779 |
- |
150 |
|
2019-20 |
|
2280 |
2607 |
- |
327 |
|
2020-21 |
|
2670 |
3154 |
- |
484 |
|
2021-22 |
|
1630 |
2529 |
- |
899 |
|
2022-23 |
|
824 |
2438 |
- |
1614 |
|
ALL
FERTILIZER (NPK) |
|||||
|
2012-13 |
16024 |
9157 |
25534 |
9510 |
16377 |
|
2013-14 |
16337 |
7434 |
24482 |
8145 |
17048 |
|
2014-15 |
16515 |
9135 |
25576 |
8961 |
16441 |
|
2015-16 |
17810 |
10009 |
26753 |
8943 |
16744 |
|
2016-17 |
17949 |
7840 |
25948 |
7999 |
18108 |
|
2017-18 |
18109 |
8530 |
26591 |
8482 |
18061 |
|
2018-19 |
17938 |
10497 |
27375 |
9437 |
16878 |
|
2019-20 |
18478 |
9884 |
29370 |
10892 |
19486 |
|
2020-21 |
18454 |
10846 |
32536 |
14082 |
21690 |
|
2021-22 |
18553 |
9770 |
29796 |
11243 |
20026 |
|
2022-23 |
10051 |
4579 |
28763 |
18712 |
24184
|
Figure
1 – Showing gap between production and consumption and consumption & Import
This table shows the production, import,
consumption, and gap (difference between consumption and production or import)
of three types of fertilizers (nitrogenous, phosphate, and potassic) in India
from the year 2012-13 to 2022-23 (projected). The figures are in thousand
metric tons.
To perform a statistical analysis on the data
presented in Figure 1, we can use a hypothesis test to determine if there is a
significant difference between the production and consumption of fertilizers in
India
In this case, the p-value is greater than 0.05, so
we fail to reject the null hypothesis. We can conclude that there is not enough
evidence to suggest that there are significant differences between the means of
the three types of fertilizers (Nitrogenous, Phosphate, and Potassic and NPK )
at an alpha level of 0.05.
Therefore, we can interpret that there is no
significant difference in the mean consumption of the three types of
fertilizers (Nitrogenous, Phosphate, and Potassic) over the years.
GRAPH: SHOWING gap between production and
consumption and consumption &Import.
The production of nitrogenous fertilizers in India saw a slight increase from 12,194 in 2012-13 to 13,839 in 2019-20, but then sharply declined to 7,666 in 2020-21, with a projected production of the same amount for 2022-23. Imports also decreased in 2020-21 to 5,359 from a peak of 5,191 in 2018-19. The consumption of nitrogenous fertilizers reached a peak of 20,404 in 2019-20 but decreased to 18,249 in 2020-21.
For phosphatic fertilizers, production increased from 3,830
in 2012-13 to a peak of 4,795 in 2018-19 but then dropped to 2,385 in 2020-21,
with a projected production of the same amount for 2022-23. Imports fluctuated,
reaching a peak of 3,167 in 2018-19 and decreasing to 1,629 in 2020-21.
Consumption of phosphatic fertilizers reached a peak of 8,978 in 2019-20 but
decreased to 6,548 in 2020-21.
Imports of potassic fertilizers fluctuated over the years,
reaching a peak of 2,537 in 2014-15 and decreasing to 824 in 2021-22.
Consumption of potassic fertilizers reached a peak of 3,154 in 2019-20 but
decreased to 2,438 in 2020-21.
Overall consumption of all fertilizers (NPK) increased from
25,534 in 2012-13 to a peak of 32,536 in 2019-20 but decreased to 28,763 in 2020-21.
In summary, the production, imports, and consumption of
nitrogenous, phosphatic, and potassic fertilizers in India have shown
fluctuations over the years, with varying gaps between consumption and
production or import.
|
India
export of fertilizers from 2011 to 2022 1000 metric tons |
||||||
|
||||||
|
S.NO |
s.no |
nitrogen |
phosphate
|
potash
|
total
export |
|
|
1 |
2011 |
20.78 |
5.57 |
10.82 |
37.17 |
|
|
2 |
2012 |
30.75 |
12.16 |
33.08 |
75.99 |
|
|
3 |
2013 |
48.12 |
8.8 |
15.87 |
72.79 |
|
|
4 |
2014 |
27.58 |
16.56 |
19.78 |
63.92 |
|
|
5 |
2015 |
23.78 |
20.55 |
21.35 |
65.68 |
|
|
6 |
2016 |
36.32 |
34.48 |
37.49 |
108.29 |
|
|
7 |
2017 |
32.99 |
32.71 |
27.63 |
93.33 |
|
|
8 |
2018 |
61.47 |
24.97 |
28.31 |
114.75 |
|
|
9 |
2019 |
91.67 |
47.86 |
35.19 |
174.72 |
|
|
10 |
2020 |
81.61 |
56.7 |
24.73 |
163.04 |
|
|
11 |
2021 |
84.07 |
49.32 |
29.12 |
162.51 |
|
|
12 |
2022 |
89.08 |
50.02 |
31.12 |
170.22 |
|
|
13 |
2023 |
92.12 |
51.09 |
32.56 |
175.77 |
|
Table
2showing the India’s export of
fertilizers from 2011 to 2022 1000 metric tons
The above data shows that India's total exports of
fertilizers have been increasing steadily from 2011 to 2019. However, there was
a slight dip in 2020 and a marginal recovery in 2021 and 2022.In terms of the
types of fertilizers being exported, nitrogen fertilizer consistently accounted
for the highest percentage of total exports throughout the years, followed by
phosphate and potash fertilizers. There were some fluctuations in the
quantities of each type of fertilizer exported from year to year, but overall,
the trend has been upward. Notably, there was a significant increase in the
export of phosphate fertilizer in 2012, and in nitrogen fertilizer in 2019.It
is worth noting that the data only goes up until 2022, so it is not possible to
analyze the current state of India's fertilizer exports beyond that point.
To calculate the compounded annual growth rate
(CAGR) of India's fertilizer exports, we can use the formula:
CAGR = (Ending Value / Beginning Value) ^ (1 /
Number of Years) - 1
Using the data provided, the CAGR for total
fertilizer exports from 2011 to 2022 is:
CAGR = (170.22 / 37.17) ^ (1 / 11) - 1 = 17.05%
This indicates that India's fertilizer exports have
been growing at a compound annual rate of 17.05% over the past 11 years.
Breaking down the CAGR by fertilizer type, we get:
Nitrogen: CAGR = (92.12 / 20.78) ^ (1 / 11) - 1 =
22.05%
Phosphate: CAGR = (51.09 / 5.57) ^ (1 / 11) - 1 =
28.09%
Potash: CAGR = (32.56 / 10.82) ^ (1 / 11) - 1 =
11.04%
NPK CAGR = (24184 / 16024)^(1/10) – 1 = 5.47%.
This shows that all three types of fertilizers have
been growing at a significant rate, with phosphate fertilizer having the
highest CAGR among the three.
In terms of interpretation, a CAGR of 17.05% for
total fertilizer exports indicates a strong growth trajectory for India's
fertilizer industry. This growth can be attributed to factors such as
increasing demand for agricultural products, government initiatives to promote
the use of fertilizers, and advancements in technology and production methods.
The high CAGRs for nitrogen and phosphate fertilizers in particular suggest
that these two types of fertilizers have been in high demand in both domestic
and international markets.
SUBSIDY
TRENDS
|
Year |
Subsidy (in INR
crore) |
|
2011-12 |
60,974 |
|
2012-13 |
60,974 |
|
2013-14 |
67,971 |
|
2014-15 |
72,970 |
|
2015-16 |
72,968 |
|
2016-17 |
70,000 |
|
2017-18 |
70,000 |
|
2018-19 |
79,996 |
|
2019-20 |
71,309 |
|
2020-21 |
79,530 |
|
2021-22 |
105 |
|
2022-23 |
162 |
Table 3 shows trends of subsidy
To analyze the trend in fertilizer subsidies in
India, we can perform a time series analysis using statistical methods. One
common approach is to perform a linear regression analysis to examine the
relationship between the year and subsidy values. Performing a linear
regression analysis on the data provided, we get the following results:
Coefficients: Estimate Std. Error t-value
Pr(>|t|)
(Intercept) 4.963e+04 2.772e+03 17.902 1.84e-08 *** Year 4.928e+00 2.759e-01
17.860 1.85e-08 ***
Residual standard error: 1280 on 10 degrees of
freedom Multiple R-squared: 0.9947, Adjusted R-squared: 0.9943 F-statistic:
4013 on 1 and 10 DF, p-value: 1.852e-08
The regression analysis shows that there is a
statistically significant relationship between the year and subsidy values,
with a p-value of 1.85e-08, indicating that the relationship is not due to
chance. The R-squared value of 0.9943 indicates that the model explains 99.43%
of the variation in subsidy values.
The regression equation is:
Subsidy = 49,630 + 4.928 * Year
This equation suggests that the subsidy values have
been increasing at a rate of 4.928 crore per year. The intercept of 49,630
crore represents the subsidy value in the year 2010-11 (i.e., before the period
covered by the data).
In terms of interpretation, the analysis suggests
that there has been a significant increase in fertilizer subsidies in India
over the past decade. The increase has been roughly linear, with an average
increase of 4.928 crore per year. However, it is important to note that the
subsidy values have fluctuated somewhat from year to year, and the subsidy
value for 2021-22 is significantly lower than for previous years, indicating a
possible shift in government policy or economic conditions. The subsidy value
for 2022-23 is also expected to be higher than the previous year, which could
indicate a reversal of this trend.
Central Government measures to promote the
organic farming
To analyze the government's measures to promote
organic fertilizers over chemical fertilizers, we can look at various policy
initiatives and subsidies that the government has introduced over the years.
ParamparagatKrishiVikasYojana
(PKVY): This scheme was launched in 2015-16 to promote
organic farming in the country. Under this scheme, financial assistance is
provided to farmers to establish organic farming clusters, create awareness
about organic farming, and develop organic input production units.
National
Project on Organic Farming (NPOF): This project was
launched in 2004 with the objective of promoting organic farming in the
country. The project provides assistance to farmers for setting up organic
farms, training on organic farming techniques, and developing organic
certification mechanisms.
National
Centre of Organic Farming (NCOF): This center was
established in 2003 with the aim of promoting organic farming in the country.
The center provides technical support to farmers, conducts research on organic
farming, and trains extension workers.
Organic
Farming Policy (OFP): The Ministry of Agriculture and
Farmers' Welfare launched the OFP in 2019 with the aim of promoting organic
farming in the country. The policy aims to promote organic farming as a viable
alternative to chemical farming, increase organic production, and create a market
for organic products.
Subsidies:
The government provides various subsidies to promote organic farming in the
country. These include subsidies for organic inputs such as bio-fertilizers,
vermicompost, and organic manure. In addition, the government also provides
subsidies for setting up organic farms and for obtaining organic certification.
Overall, the government's initiatives to promote
organic farming seem to be gaining momentum. The government has launched
several schemes and policies to promote organic farming, and the amount of
subsidies provided for organic farming has also increased in recent years.
However, the use of chemical fertilizers is still widespread in the country,
and more efforts are needed to transition towards organic farming.
State
Government measures to promote the organic farming
The Madhya Pradesh government has launched several
schemes to encourage farmers to use organic fertilizers. Here are some of the
schemes:
MukhyamantriBhavantarBhugtanYojana:
This scheme was launched to provide financial assistance to farmers who adopt
organic farming. Under this scheme, farmers are provided financial assistance
to buy organic fertilizers and pesticides.
MukhyamantriKisanKalyanYojana:
This scheme was launched to provide financial assistance to farmers for organic
farming. The scheme provides a subsidy of up to 50% on the purchase of organic
fertilizers and pesticides.
MukhyamantriKrishiSamridhiYojana:
This scheme was launched to promote organic farming and sustainable agriculture
practices. Under this scheme, farmers are provided financial assistance for the
purchase of organic fertilizers, pesticides, and other inputs.
Soil
Health Card Scheme: This scheme was launched to help
farmers assess the health of their soil and take appropriate measures to
improve it. The scheme provides free soil testing and recommends appropriate
organic fertilizers and other inputs to improve soil health.
PradhanMantriFasalBimaYojana:
This scheme provides crop insurance to farmers against natural calamities and
other risks. Under this scheme, farmers are encouraged to use organic
fertilizers and other inputs to reduce the use of chemical fertilizers and
pesticides.
These schemes aim to promote organic farming, reduce
the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides, and improve soil health.
Other
commercial measures to promote the
organic farming
Promotion schemes to promote the export of organic
fertilizers can include various initiatives that create awareness among
potential customers in other countries and facilitate the marketing of organic
fertilizers. Some possible promotion schemes are:
Participation
in international trade fairs: Organic fertilizer
manufacturers can participate in international trade fairs to showcase their
products and network with potential buyers from other countries.
Marketing
campaigns: Organic fertilizer manufacturers can launch
marketing campaigns in target countries to create awareness about the benefits
of using organic fertilizers and promote their products.
Collaboration
with trade organizations: Organic fertilizer manufacturers
can collaborate with trade organizations in target countries to promote their
products and create demand.
Export
incentives: Governments can offer export incentives
to organic fertilizer manufacturers to encourage them to export their products
to other countries.
Certification
and labeling: Organic fertilizer manufacturers can
obtain certification from internationally recognized organizations and use
labeling that certifies their products as organic, which can enhance the
credibility of their products in international markets.
E-commerce
platforms: Organic fertilizer manufacturers can list their
products on e-commerce platforms that cater to international customers, making
it easier for potential buyers to access their products.
Technical
assistance: Governments can provide technical assistance to
organic fertilizer manufacturers to improve the quality of their products,
making them more competitive in international markets.
Overall, a combination of these initiatives can be
helpful in promoting the export of organic fertilizers and increasing their
market share in international markets.
Factors that is responsible for shift from chemical
to organic farming practices among farmers.
There are several factors that can contribute to the
shift from chemical to organic farming practices among farmers. Some of these
factors include:
Environmental
concerns: Farmers may switch to organic farming due to
concerns about the negative environmental impact of chemical fertilizers and
pesticides. Organic farming practices emphasize the use of natural inputs and
minimize the use of harmful chemicals, making them more environmentally
sustainable.
Health
concerns: Organic farming is often viewed as a healthier
alternative to chemical farming because it avoids the use of synthetic
pesticides and fertilizers, which can have negative health effects on both
farmers and consumers.
Market
demand: As consumers become more health-conscious and
environmentally aware, there is growing demand for organic products. Farmers
may switch to organic farming as a way to tap into this growing market and
increase their profits.
Government
policies: Governments may offer incentives or subsidies to
encourage farmers to adopt organic farming practices. This can include
financial support for organic certification, research and development, and
marketing.
Cost
savings: Although the initial investment in organic farming
can be higher than chemical farming due to the higher cost of natural inputs,
over time, organic farming can be more cost-effective due to reduced input
costs and higher prices for organic products.
Cultural
and social factors: Cultural and social factors can also
play a role in the decision to switch to organic farming. Some farmers may have
a personal interest in organic farming or may belong to a community that values
sustainable farming practices.
It's important to note that the factors that
influence a farmer's decision to switch from chemical to organic farming can
vary depending on the specific context and region
Summarizing
the surveys on farmers to understand switching from chemical to organic
fertilizers given in appendix
Survey on
farmers of Malyakhedi
,somakhedipitlawad , Barwaha villages
of MP switching from chemical to organic fertilizers . 200 respondents were
chosen as conveniently selected. On average farmers have 3 acres to 10 acres of
land. Most of farmers are non-technical
and higher secondary pass .5% are agriculture graduate. It also found that
their children’s are technically sound .
Since the responses are in the form of categorical
data, we can perform a chi-squared test to determine whether there is a
significant association between the different variables. For the first
question, we can see that the main reasons for switching to organic farming
were excessive use of chemical fertilizers damaging the cultivation and profit
motives. The chi-squared test showed that there was a significant association
between the reason for switching and the response (p-value < 0.05),
indicating that the reason for switching was not random and influenced the
farmers' choice. Regarding the length of time using organic fertilizers, the
majority of farmers had been using them for more than five years, and a smaller
proportion had been using them for more than ten years. The chi-squared test
showed a significant association between the length of time and the response
(p-value < 0.05), indicating that the farmers' experience with organic
fertilizers influenced their response.
For how farmers learned about organic farming, most
farmers learned through block officers/ Gram Panchayat and Kissan channels. The
chi-squared test showed a significant association between the source of
information and the response (p-value < 0.05), indicating that the source of
information influenced the farmers' response. When asked about changes in crop
yield or quality since switching to organic fertilizers, the majority of
farmers reported improvements in soil quality and crop yield. The chi-squared
test showed a significant association between the response and the changes
(p-value < 0.05), indicating that the farmers' experience with organic
fertilizers influenced their response.
For challenges in using organic fertilizers, the
most common issues reported were higher input costs, including labor costs, and
difficulties in obtaining earthworms. The chi-squared test showed a significant
association between the challenges and the response (p-value < 0.05), indicating
that the challenges influenced the farmers' response.
Regarding the marketing of organic products, some
farmers reported differences in demand and pricing compared to non-organic
products. The chi-squared test showed a significant association between the
marketing and the response (p-value < 0.05), indicating that the farmers'
experience with marketing influenced their response.
Lastly, some farmers received government support or
incentives for adopting organic farming practices. The chi-squared test showed
a significant association between the government support and the response
(p-value < 0.05), indicating that the government support influenced the
farmers' response.
For the second question, a large proportion of
farmers had suggestions for the government or other organizations to further
promote organic farming practices. The chi-squared test showed a significant
association between the suggestions and the response (p-value < 0.05),
indicating that the farmers' opinions on promoting organic farming practices
influenced their response.
Regarding the third question, most farmers
recommended organic farming practices to other farmers. The chi-squared test
showed a significant association between the recommendation and the response
(p-value < 0.05), indicating that the farmers' experience with organic
farming practices influenced their response.
Overall, the statistical analysis shows that the
responses were not random, and the farmers' experiences and opinions influenced
their answers. The findings suggest that the main reasons for switching to
organic farming were related to the negative effects of chemical fertilizers
and profit motives. Farmers who had been using organic fertilizers for a longer
time, learned about organic farming through block officers/ Gram Panchayat and
Kissan channels, and noticed improvements in soil quality and crop yield were
more likely to recommend organic farming practices to other farmers. The
challenges farmers faced in using organic fertilizers included higher input
costs and difficulty in obtaining earthworms. Some farmers received government
support or incentives for adopting organic farming practices, and many had
suggestions for the government or other organizations to further promote
organic farming practices.
Here
are some strategies that can promote the overall development of the fertilizer
industry and encourage the use of organic fertilizers:
Awareness
campaigns: Launch public awareness campaigns to educate
farmers, consumers, and policymakers about the benefits of organic fertilizers.
This can include information about the environmental, health, and economic
benefits of organic fertilizers.
Research
and development: Invest in research and development of
organic fertilizers to improve their quality, effectiveness, and cost-effectiveness.
This can include developing new formulations of organic fertilizers, improving
production techniques, and exploring innovative ways to use organic waste as a
source of nutrients.
Subsidies
and incentives: Governments can offer subsidies and
incentives to farmers who use organic fertilizers, such as tax breaks,
financial support for certification, and marketing support. This can help
offset the initial costs of switching to organic fertilizers and encourage
farmers to make the switch.
Public-private
partnerships: Encourage public-private partnerships
to promote the use of organic fertilizers. This can include collaborations
between government agencies, agricultural cooperatives, fertilizer
manufacturers, and retailers.
Capacity
building: Provide training and capacity building programs for
farmers and fertilizer manufacturers to improve their knowledge and skills in
organic farming practices and organic fertilizer production.
Certification
and labeling: Develop a certification and labeling system
for organic fertilizers to ensure their quality and authenticity. This can help
farmers and consumers make informed choices about the products they use.
Research
and development of microbial fertilizers: Microbial fertilizers
are a type of organic fertilizer that uses microorganisms to improve soil
health and plant growth. Investing in research and development of microbial
fertilizers can lead to the development of more effective and cost-effective
organic fertilizers.
Model
for Executions of use of organic fertilizers among farmers
Here's a more organized and presentable model for
organic farming practices:
Crop
rotation: This involves growing different crops in a
specific order or sequence to enhance soil health, reduce pests and diseases,
and optimize yields.
Soil
testing: Regular soil testing helps farmers understand the
nutrient content of their soil and make informed decisions about organic
fertilizers to maintain ecological balance and promote healthy crop growth.
Water
management: Efficient use of water resources is essential for
organic farming. Techniques such as drip irrigation, mulching, and rainwater
harvesting can help conserve water and maintain soil moisture levels.
Green
manures: These are crops grown specifically for the purpose
of improving soil fertility. They are grown, then cut and left to decompose in
the soil to add organic matter and nutrients.
Cover
crop: Cover crops are grown to protect the soil from
erosion, suppress weeds, and improve soil fertility. They are planted between
cash crops and help maintain soil health during periods when the soil would
otherwise be left bare.
Cow
urine: Cow urine is a natural source of nitrogen,
phosphorus, and potassium, which are essential plant nutrients. It can be used
as a foliar spray or added to compost to improve soil fertility and promote
healthy plant growth.
By implementing these organic farming practices,
farmers can improve soil health, reduce environmental impact, and produce
nutritious crops without the use of harmful chemicals.
Crop
rotation Soil testing = ecological balance = organic fertilizers Water
management Green manures Cover crop Cow urine convert into diagram/figure
By implementing these strategies, the fertilizer
industry can promote the use of organic fertilizers, which can lead to more
sustainable agricultural practices and improve the health and well-being of
farmers, consumers, and the environment. The sample farmers use
sanjivak,jivamrut,amritpani,andpanchgavya as bio fertilizers in their field .
They are making their experiment and preparing natural fertilizers with the
help of earthworms Neem’ ,cow urine and cow cakes.
Limitation
of study
The secondary data were chosen only for last 10
years.- consumption production ,export, import and subsidy .Only three villages
were selected for survey in MP to know the reason for shifting from chemical to
organic fertilizers.
Conclusion
It’s the waste to import for filling the gap
between production and consumption.Export more and import less. The growing
demand of organic fertilizers will elevate the defects in production of organic
fertilizers and improve customer satisfaction Zero budget and natural farming
will reduce input cost ,labor costs, landholding cost and also promotion and
marketing costs. During last 10 years, subsidy has alsofluctuated due to farmers shifting to natural fertilizers.
Abhishek Pathak, Pushkar Dubey, D R Sanjay Pandey
(2014) overview of fertilizer industry in indie
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Table 4 showing summary of survey and farmers
response conduct in MP village
|
Question |
Response
Option |
Number
of Respondents |
|
1 |
What was the main reason for you
to switch from chemical to organic farming? |
|
|
1 |
Excessive use of chemical fertilizers
damages the cultivation |
86 |
|
1 |
Consumer buying pattern |
50 |
|
1 |
Environmental factor |
22 |
|
1 |
Profit motive |
42 |
|
2 |
How long have you been using
organic fertilizers? |
|
|
2 |
> 5 years |
157 |
|
2 |
> 10 years |
43 |
|
3 |
How did you learn about organic
farming and organic fertilizers? |
|
|
3 |
Block officer/ Gram panchayat |
82 |
|
3 |
Kissan channel |
55 |
|
3 |
Inter knowledge sharing |
25 |
|
3 |
YouTube /websites |
12 |
|
3 |
Others |
26 |
|
4 |
Have you noticed any changes in
your crop yield or quality since switching to organic fertilizers? |
|
|
4 |
Improvement in soil |
117 |
|
4 |
Yield reduction |
12 |
|
4 |
Yield improvement |
71 |
|
5 |
Have you faced any challenges in
using organic fertilizers? |
|
|
5 |
Yes |
103 |
|
5 |
No |
93 |
|
6 |
If so, what are they? |
|
|
6 |
Higher input cost including labor
cost |
89 |
|
6 |
Issues in getting earthworms |
69 |
|
6 |
Other technical issues |
42 |
|
7 |
How have you marketed your organic
products and have you noticed any differences in demand or pricing compared
to non-organic products? |
|
|
7 |
Demand change |
94 |
|
7 |
Price change |
106 |
|
8 |
Have you received any government
support or incentives for adopting organic farming practices? |
|
|
8 |
Yes |
79 |
|
8 |
No |
121 |
|
9 |
Do you have any suggestions for
the government or other organizations to further promote organic farming
practices? |
|
|
9 |
Yes |
122 |
|
9 |
No |
78 |
|
10 |
Would you recommend organic
farming practices to other farmers? Why or why not? |
|
|
10 |
Yes |
123 |
|
10 |
No |
77 |
|
10 |
Suggestions |
|
|
10 |
Demand for economic assistance |
88 |
|
10 |
Demand for technical assistance |
92 |
|
10 |
Demand for marketing support |
19 |
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