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Government Extends DAP Subsidy to Control Fertilizer Prices

Government Extends DAP Subsidy to Control Fertilizer Prices: A Detailed Analysis for UPSC Aspirants

Fertilizers are a cornerstone of India’s agricultural economy, ensuring productivity and food security for over 1.4 billion people. Among fertilizers, Di-Ammonium Phosphate (DAP) holds particular importance as it is a key source of phosphorus for crops. The government’s decision to extend the DAP subsidy to control fertilizer prices reflects its commitment to supporting farmers while managing inflationary pressures and ensuring agricultural sustainability.

This eBook is tailored to provide UPSC aspirants with comprehensive insights into the significance, challenges, and implications of the government’s decision.

What is DAP Fertilizer?

  • Composition:
    Di-Ammonium Phosphate (DAP) contains 46% phosphorus (P2O5) and 18% nitrogen (N), making it a vital input for crop growth and soil fertility.
  • Uses:
    • Widely used during sowing as a base fertilizer.
    • Promotes root development and enhances crop yield.

India is heavily dependent on imports for DAP, making its price sensitive to global market fluctuations.

Government’s Fertilizer Subsidy Policy

The fertilizer subsidy is part of the government’s larger strategy to provide fertilizers at affordable prices to farmers while bearing the cost difference between the actual market price and the retail price.

  1. Nutrient-Based Subsidy (NBS) Scheme

    • Introduced in 2010, this scheme regulates subsidies for non-urea fertilizers, including DAP.
    • Subsidy rates are determined for each nutrient (N, P, K, S) based on their cost.

  2. Objective:

    • To ensure balanced fertilizer use.
    • To reduce financial stress on farmers.

Reason for Extending the DAP Subsidy

  1. Global Price Volatility

    • DAP prices surged in the international market due to supply chain disruptions, higher raw material costs, and geopolitical tensions like the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

  2. Rising Input Costs

    • The cost of raw materials like phosphoric acid and ammonia has increased significantly, driving up the production cost of DAP.

  3. Farmer Welfare

    • Without subsidies, the retail price of DAP would become unaffordable for small and marginal farmers, who form the majority of India’s agricultural workforce.

  4. Ensuring Food Security

    • Affordable fertilizers are crucial for maintaining agricultural productivity, ensuring stable food prices, and achieving national food security goals.

Key Highlights of the DAP Subsidy Extension

  • Increase in Subsidy

    • The government raised the DAP subsidy under the NBS scheme from ₹1,350 per bag (50 kg) to ₹2,501 per bag to offset the rising global prices.

  • Impact on Retail Prices

    • The retail price for farmers remains stable at ₹1,350 per bag, with the government absorbing the additional cost.

  • Budgetary Allocation

    • The government has significantly increased the total fertilizer subsidy budget to ₹1.75 lakh crore for the fiscal year, reflecting its commitment to the agriculture sector.

  • Reduction in Fertilizer Imports

    • The government is also focusing on promoting “Aatmanirbhar Bharat” (self-reliance) in fertilizers by boosting domestic production capacity and encouraging the use of bio-fertilizers.

Implications of the Subsidy Extension

For Farmers
  • Affordable Inputs: Farmers can access fertilizers at subsidized rates, ensuring profitability and sustainability.
  • Balanced Crop Nutrition: Ensures continued use of phosphorus-based fertilizers, preventing soil nutrient depletion.
2. For Agriculture Sector
  • Maintains agricultural productivity and ensures food security.
  • Stabilizes the cost of production, benefiting the economy in the long term.
3. For the Economy
  • Inflation Control: Prevents a rise in food prices by keeping input costs low.
  • Fiscal Burden: Higher subsidies increase the fiscal deficit, putting pressure on government finances.
4. For Global Trade
  • Continued imports of DAP may impact India’s trade deficit, highlighting the need for diversification and domestic production.

Challenges in the Fertilizer Subsidy Regime

  1. Overuse and Imbalanced Fertilization

    • Subsidized fertilizers often lead to overuse, causing soil degradation and environmental issues.

  2. Financial Burden on Government

    • Subsidy extensions strain public finances, limiting expenditure on other developmental programs.

  3. Dependence on Imports

    • India imports 50-60% of its DAP requirements, making it vulnerable to global market fluctuations.

  4. Leakages in Distribution

    • Mismanagement and diversion of subsidized fertilizers for industrial use remain significant concerns.

Government Initiatives to Address Challenges

  1. Promoting Domestic Production

    • Revival of closed fertilizer plants and investment in new facilities under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative.

  2. Balanced Fertilizer Use

    • Promotion of integrated nutrient management systems and awareness campaigns for judicious fertilizer use.

  3. Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT)

    • Implementing DBT for fertilizer subsidies to ensure that benefits reach the intended farmers directly.

  4. Encouraging Alternatives

    • Promoting the use of bio-fertilizers, organic fertilizers, and nano-fertilizers to reduce dependence on chemical fertilizers.

Relevance for UPSC Aspirants

Agriculture and Economy

  • Questions on agricultural subsidies, food security, and rural distress often feature in Prelims and Mains.

Government Schemes and Policies

  • Understanding the Nutrient-Based Subsidy (NBS) scheme is crucial for GS Paper II (Governance and Policies).

Environmental Concerns

  • The overuse of chemical fertilizers and its impact on soil health and water bodies is relevant for GS Paper III (Environment).

Essay and Ethics

  • Case studies on balancing farmer welfare with fiscal responsibility can be used in ethics and essay papers.

Conclusion

The government’s decision to extend the DAP subsidy is a critical step toward stabilizing fertilizer prices, supporting farmers, and ensuring agricultural productivity. However, addressing the challenges of fiscal sustainability, overuse, and import dependence is equally essential. For UPSC aspirants, understanding the nuances of this policy provides valuable insights into governance, agriculture, and fiscal management, equipping them to tackle both Prelims and Mains effectively.

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