In a forceful push to rescue India’s rapidly degrading soil, the Department of Fertilizers has stepped up its campaign for balanced and sustainable nutrient use, signaling a sharper, ground-driven approach to agricultural reform.

 

Rajat Kumar Mishra, Secretary (Fertilizers), recently held an extensive virtual interaction with nearly 100 Agriculture Graduates serving with Hindustan Urvarak & Rasayan Limited and Rashtriya Chemicals and Fertilizers Limited, drawing on field-level insights to confront one of Indian agriculture’s most pressing threats — soil degradation caused by excessive and imbalanced urea use.

 

Officials acknowledged that overdependence on chemical fertilizers has triggered critical nutrient deficiencies, falling soil carbon levels, and worsening soil health across multiple regions. The message from the top was clear: the era of unchecked fertilizer use must give way to balanced fertilization, integrated nutrient management, and grassroots awareness.

 

By directly engaging young agricultural professionals working closely with farmers, the Department is attempting to close the gap between policymaking and on-ground realities. The goal is to embed field feedback and practical innovation into implementation strategies, ensuring that national targets on balanced fertilizer use translate into real change at the farm level.

 

Addressing the participants, the Secretary underscored the power of youth in driving agricultural transformation. While reaffirming the government’s commitment to fertilizer availability, he stressed that preventing soil damage must now take center stage.

 

"We are taking feedback day and night," the Secretary stated, describing the graduates as a critical communication bridge between companies, farmers, and the government.

 

He revealed that consultations have also been held with eight Padma Shri awardees to deepen the initiative’s impact. Invoking the Prime Minister’s vision that "farmers are our VIPs," the Secretary said protecting farmer interests through awareness and soil conservation remains a top priority.

 

The discussion zeroed in on alarming signs of physical soil degradation — rising soil hardness and declining carbon content linked to chemical overuse. Graduates were urged to document success stories of farmers transitioning to organic farming and to actively promote composting and green manure. Despite the availability of vermicompost under various government schemes, officials noted that lack of awareness continues to hamper adoption.

 

The Secretary also called for scaling sustainable practices through partnerships with Lakhpati Didis, self-help groups, and community networks to accelerate change at the grassroots.

 

Field-level evidence added urgency to the conversation. Experiments conducted by Awadhesh Singh in Gorakhpur demonstrated that balanced phosphate application not only improves yields but also enhances soil structure — reinforcing the scientific case for reform.

 

The session, attended by senior officials including the Additional Secretary, Joint Secretary, and top leadership from HURL and RCF, concluded with a firm commitment: policy will increasingly be shaped by field realities.

 

With soil fertility under strain, the Department of Fertilizers has signalled that safeguarding the land — and securing the future of India’s farmers — can no longer wait.