The Indian fertilizer industry in the past 50 years has grown in size and stature and presently ranks third in the world. In the planned economic development of the country, self sufficiency in food grain production was considered as the prime priority. Increase in fertilizer use along with irrigation facilities, use of improved seed and adoption of better agronomic practices paved the way for increasing crop productivity and production. Fertilizer use in India increased from 66 thousand tons of major plant nutrients in 1951-52 to 22.7 million tons in 2003-04. Fertilizer contributes 40-50% increase in food grain production and they have vital role to play in any strategy to meet the challenges of rising demand of food, fiber, forage and fuel.
Fertilizer consumption of plant nutrients per unit of grossed cropped area in India is still very low average being 91.5 kg/ha. Productivity of food grain crops in the country is also quite low, around 1.6 t/ha, which can certainly be doubled by enhancing per unit average fertilizer use. Fertilizer consumption has to increase substantially in order to achieve the food grain requirement of 220 million tons by the year 2002.
Fertilizer consumption of plant nutrients per unit of grossed cropped area in India is still very low average being 91.5 kg/ha. Productivity of food grain crops in the country is also quite low, around 1.6 t/ha, which can certainly be doubled by enhancing per unit average fertilizer use. Fertilizer consumption has to increase substantially in order to achieve the food grain requirement of 220 million tons by the year 2002.