Fertilizers help meet the need of food, fiber, fuel and feed for our growing population. Deficiency of plant nutrients in soil is on rise. To replenish the same for ensuring food security, use of fertilizer is indispensable. Fertilizers contain essential nutrients in specific ionic forms which plant roots are capable of absorbing and help in better food production.
Plant nutrients need to be applied in balanced proportion on analysis of soil. Balanced fertilization improves soil health. Government provides subsidy of more than 70% of cost of urea. DAP is subsidised only by 35% of the cost. This has led to low cost of urea and high cost of DAP to the farmer tempting him to use more urea at the cost of DAP. Result is imbalanced use of fertilisers.