Mains Practice Questions for the Day
- Q. India’s fertilizer security is closely linked to global energy geopolitics. Examine in the context of the fertilizer crisis arising from the Iran war. (15 M)
- Q. High-value crop diversification is essential for transforming Indian agriculture from subsistence farming to an income-oriented system. Examine in the context of recent initiatives for horticultural development. (15 M)
Q. India’s fertilizer security is closely linked to global energy geopolitics. Examine in the context of the fertilizer crisis arising from the Iran war. (15 M)
(GS Paper III – Agriculture | Economy | International Relations)
Introduction:
India’s agriculture remains heavily dependent on chemical fertilizers, especially urea, for sustaining food production and crop yields. The ongoing Iran war and disruption of the Strait of Hormuz have exposed how fertilizer security is deeply connected to global energy routes, making agricultural stability vulnerable to external geopolitical shocks.
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1.Why the Iran War Has Triggered a Fertilizer Crisis
- The closure of the Strait of Hormuz has disrupted the movement of finished fertilizers as well as Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG), which is essential for domestic urea production.
- Since Gulf countries account for a major share of India’s urea imports and LNG supply, the blockade has sharply increased prices and reduced availability, creating immediate risks for the Kharif and upcoming Rabi seasons.
2.India’s Structural Dependence on Fertilizers
- India consumes nearly 39–40 million tonnes of urea annually, which is central to the cultivation of staple crops such as rice and wheat.
- Heavy subsidies on urea have led to overdependence and nutrient imbalance in soils, making agriculture highly sensitive to any disruption in fertilizer supply.
- Dependence also extends to raw materials like ammonia, sulphur, and phosphates, much of which comes from West Asia.
3.Economic and Agricultural Implications
- Rising fertilizer prices increase the government’s subsidy burden and strain fiscal resources.
- Domestic production also suffers when LNG supply is disrupted, reducing plant capacity and output.
- Shortages can lead to hoarding, black marketing, and delayed sowing, directly threatening food security, crop productivity, and rural incomes, especially for small and marginal farmers.
4.Measures Taken by the Government
- India has diversified sourcing by importing ammonia and DAP from countries such as Morocco, Jordan, and Indonesia.
- Emergency import tenders have been issued to secure urea stocks, and loading deadlines for shipments have been extended.
- Farmers are also being encouraged to use alternatives like Single Super Phosphate (SSP) and Triple Super Phosphate (TSP) to reduce immediate pressure on DAP availability.
5.Long-Term Way Forward
- India must reduce excessive dependence on bulk fertilizer imports by promoting nano urea, nano DAP, and biofertilizers that improve nutrient efficiency.
- Fertilizer fortification with micronutrients and use of phosphate-solubilizing bacteria can reduce chemical dependence.
- Simultaneously, strategic diplomatic engagement and resilient supply corridors are needed to protect essential agricultural imports during global conflicts.
Conclusion:
The fertilizer crisis caused by the Iran war demonstrates that food security and energy security are inseparably linked. While short-term imports may protect immediate crop cycles, long-term resilience requires diversification, innovation, and reduced import dependence. Sustainable fertilizer management is essential for protecting Indian agriculture from future geopolit
Q. High-value crop diversification is essential for transforming Indian agriculture from subsistence farming to an income-oriented system. Examine in the context of recent initiatives for horticultural development. (15 M)
(GS Paper III – Agriculture | Horticulture | Rural Economy)
Introduction:
Indian agriculture has traditionally remained cereal-centric, with a strong focus on rice and wheat under the Green Revolution model. However, rising input costs, declining profitability, and changing nutritional demand require a shift toward high-value crops such as fruits, vegetables, spices, flowers, and plantation crops, which offer higher returns per unit of land and greater employment opportunities.
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1.Why High-Value Crop Diversification is Necessary
- High-value crops generate significantly higher income compared to cereals and pulses and are more suitable for small and marginal farmers with limited landholdings.
- They improve nutritional security by supplying essential vitamins and minerals, while also supporting agro-processing industries and export growth.
- Their labour-intensive nature creates rural employment and supports women’s participation in agriculture.
2.Role of Horticulture in Agricultural Growth
- Horticulture contributes nearly 37% of the Gross Value Output of the crop sector and has shown higher growth than traditional agriculture.
- India is among the world’s leading producers of fruits, vegetables, onions, and spices.
- The steady rise in horticultural output reflects its growing role as a driver of agricultural transformation and farmer income enhancement.
3.Region-Specific Diversification Strategy
- The Union Budget 2026–27 promotes crop-specific diversification based on agro-climatic strengths.
- Coastal regions focus on coconut, cashew, cocoa, and sandalwood; the North East emphasizes agarwood and spices; while Himalayan regions promote walnuts, almonds, and pine nuts.
- Such differentiated strategies improve productivity, regional specialization, and export competitiveness while utilizing local ecological advantages.
4.Major Challenges in Diversification
- High-value crops often require greater initial investment, longer gestation periods, and advanced technical knowledge.
- Their perishability demands strong cold-chain and storage infrastructure, which remains inadequate in many regions.
- Climate vulnerability, fragmented landholdings, and difficulty in meeting global quality standards further limit large-scale diversification and export expansion.
5.Way Forward for Sustainable Diversification
- Strengthening post-harvest management through cold storage, grading, and processing is essential to reduce losses.
- Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) can help aggregate small farmers and improve market access.
- Branding Indian products like cocoa, sandalwood, and cashew as premium global products can raise export value.
- Promotion of digital mapping, climate-resilient varieties, and rural agri-startups will further strengthen diversification.
Conclusion:
High-value crop diversification is central to making Indian agriculture profitable, resilient, and globally competitive. Moving beyond cereal-dominated farming toward horticulture-based value chains can enhance farmer incomes, nutritional outcomes, and export potential. A regionally differentiated and infrastructure-supported approach is essential for achieving sustainable agricultural transformation.
