Optimum Use of Fertilisers: The Key to India’s Nutritional Security Balancing Growth, Soil Health, and Sustainability

India today stands at a pivotal moment in its agricultural journey. As the global population continues to expand — expected to reach 9.7 billion by 2050 according to the World Population Data 2021 — nations worldwide are facing urgent questions on how to feed their people sustainably. For India, projected to host 1.64 billion people by mid-century, the challenge is especially critical.
Despite being one of the fastest-growing economies, around 14% of India’s population remains undernourished, and chronic malnutrition among women and children continues to be a pressing concern. Ensuring nutritional security, not just food availability, has therefore become a national priority.

Fertilisers: From Yield Maximisation to Nutritional Balance

Fertilisers have long played a vital role in India’s Green Revolution, helping the country move from food scarcity to self-sufficiency. Yet, over time, imbalanced and excessive use of chemical fertilisers has taken a toll on soil health and ecosystem balance.
Experts now advocate for judicious and site-specific fertiliser application, tailored to crop needs and soil characteristics. The right mix of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) — along with secondary and micronutrients — can ensure both productivity and nutrient-rich crops, forming the backbone of sustainable agricultural growth.

The Promise of Biofertilisers
In recent years, biofertilisers have emerged as a game-changer. Derived from natural living organisms such as bacteria, fungi, and algae, these inputs help enhance soil fertility and promote plant growth by improving nutrient availability and microbial activity.
Beyond boosting productivity, biofertilisers can restore soil biodiversity, strengthen root systems, and combat soil erosion — one of India’s most persistent environmental challenges. By replenishing organic matter and supporting microbial ecosystems, biofertilisers offer a path to climate-resilient and regenerative agriculture.

“Products such as biofertilisers even have the potential to restore the biodiversity of soils and fight against soil erosion.” 

Integrated Nutrient Management (INM): The Way Forward

The optimal approach lies not in replacing chemical fertilisers entirely but in combining them with organic and biological inputs through Integrated Nutrient Management (INM). INM encourages farmers to apply fertilisers in balanced proportions, supported by organic composts, crop residues, and biofertilisers.
Such practices not only maintain soil fertility but also help reduce production costs and minimise the carbon footprint of agriculture — aligning with India’s goals for sustainable growth and environmental stewardship.

Policy and Awareness are Crucial
To unlock the full potential of balanced fertiliser use, policy interventions, farmer education, and technological innovation are essential. Precision farming tools, soil testing services, and digital advisory platforms can guide farmers toward data-driven nutrient management.
Government programmes promoting balanced fertiliser application, along with public-private partnerships in biofertiliser development, can ensure large-scale adoption.

Nourishing the Future
India’s agricultural success story must now move beyond yield targets toward nutritional and ecological well-being. Ensuring that every hectare of land is managed sustainably — with the right combination of fertilisers and biological inputs — can transform Indian agriculture into a model of nutritional security and soil health for the world.
Optimum fertiliser use is not merely a farming technique — it’s an investment in India’s future: a future where every citizen has access to safe, nutritious food grown on thriving, living soils.

Read the full article here: Optimum use of fertilisers can power India to achieve nutritional security