India's Fertiliser Import Dependence Poses Food Security Risk Amid Global Conflicts
- 1
India relies heavily on fertiliser imports, accounting for approximately 70% of its total requirement.
- 2
Ongoing global conflicts and geopolitical tensions are disrupting international supply chains and driving up fertiliser prices.
- 3
This significant import dependence directly threatens India's food security and agricultural output.
- 4
Urgent reforms in fertiliser policy are crucial to build resilience and mitigate these escalating risks.
- ●India's fertiliser import dependence: Approximately 70% of its total consumption.
- ●Key geopolitical events impacting supply: US-Iran-Israel tensions and the Russia-Ukraine war.
- ●Direct impact of global events: Disruptions in supply chains and rising international fertiliser prices.
- ●Consequence for India: Increased vulnerability to food security challenges and potential decline in agricultural productivity.
Food Security
Directly impacted by fertiliser availability and affordability, influencing national food production targets.
Agricultural Economy
Fertiliser costs are a major component of agricultural input expenses, affecting farmer profitability and overall sector growth.
International Relations & Geopolitics
Global conflicts and trade policies directly influence the availability and pricing of imported fertilisers.
Inflation
Rising fertiliser prices can contribute to higher food production costs, potentially leading to food inflation.
Government Subsidies
Increased import costs can significantly escalate the government's fertiliser subsidy burden, impacting fiscal health.
Exam Relevance
GS Paper 3: Agriculture (Input management, Food Security), Economy (Subsidies, Inflation), International Relations (Impact of global events).
General Awareness: Economic issues, Agriculture, Current Affairs.
General Awareness: Economic news, Government policies, Inflation.
General Awareness: Basic economic concepts, Agriculture.
General Awareness: Geopolitics, Economic security.
Previously Asked (PYQs)
In the context of food and nutritional security of India, enhancing the 'Seed Replacement Rates' of various crops helps in achieving the food production targets of the future. But what is/are the constraint/constraints in its wider/greater implementation? 1. There is no National Seeds Policy in place. 2. There is no participation of private sector seed companies in the supply of quality seeds of vegetables and planting materials of horticultural crops. 3. There is a demand-supply gap regarding quality seeds in case of low value and high volume crops. Select the correct answer using the code given below.
Answer: 3 only
Consider the following statements: 1. India has more arable area than China. 2. The proportion of irrigated area is more in India as compared to China. 3. The average productivity per hectare in Indian agriculture is higher than that in China. How many of the above statements are correct?
Answer: Only two
Consider the following statements: Statement-I : In the post-pandemic recent past, many Central Banks worldwide had carried out interest rate hikes. Statement-II : Central Banks generally assume that they have the ability to counteract the rising consumer prices via monetary policy means. Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?
Answer: Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is the correct explanation for Statement-I
Expected Questions
- ★UPSC may ask: 'Critically analyze the challenges posed by India's high fertiliser import dependence on its food security and suggest policy measures to enhance resilience.'
- ★SSC/Banking may ask: 'What percentage of India's fertiliser requirement is met through imports?'
- ★UPSC may ask: 'Consider the implications of geopolitical conflicts on global supply chains for essential agricultural inputs like fertilisers, with specific reference to India.'
Topic Frequency
High
Key Terms
Financial assistance provided by the government to reduce the cost of fertilisers for farmers.
Ensuring that all people, at all times, have physical, social, and economic access to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food.
The ability of a supply chain to withstand and recover from disruptions.
The risk of political or economic instability in a country or region affecting international relations and trade.
Must Remember
- •India's significant (~70%) reliance on fertiliser imports.
- •The direct link between global geopolitical events and domestic food security through fertiliser supply.
- •The necessity of policy reforms to reduce import dependence and ensure stable agricultural input availability.
Exam Tips
- •Understand the different types of fertilisers (e.g., Urea, DAP, MOP) and their primary uses.
- •Familiarize yourself with government schemes and policies related to fertilisers (e.g., Neem-coated Urea, Direct Benefit Transfer for subsidies).
- •Keep track of major global producers and exporters of fertilisers and their geopolitical contexts.