Policy Nudges for NPK Fertiliser Optimisation: A Dynamic Assessment Across all Districts of Haryana

Description

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.23947218

Deepak Sharma, Yogesh Sharma, and Somnath Pruthi (Department of Economics, Guru Jambheshwar University of Science & Technology, Hisar, Haryana)

The subject content entails the investigation and understanding of the usage of Nitrogen, phosphorus, and Potassium fertilisers at district levels over a time period from 2010-11 to 2023-24 in the state of Haryana. The study aims to get the long-run changes and district-wide disparities in NPK usage for nutrient management/ optimization for the sustainability of soil. The compound consumption of NPK increased from 1357622 tonnes in 2010-11 to 1543035 tonnes in 2023-24. The compound annual growth rates are 2.32 per cent for nitrogen (N), 2.28 percent for phosphorus (P) and 2.36 percent for potassium (K); it is slow but uneven. The NPK ratio was seriously skewed, approximately 319:100:3 in 2010-11 and still 320:100:3 in 2023-24, which is in sharp contrast with the optimal nutritional NPK ratio for Indian soils. In terms of the use of each nutrient in the fertilisers at a district level, the highest amounts are consumed in Sirsa, Fatehabad, and Karnal, while the least consumed quantities are in Panchkula, Faridabad and Mewat (Nuh) districts. This disturbance can therefore be considered significant regarding resource distribution. The main recommendation stems from the cost-less inefficiency of how potassium is sourced today, expanding soil testing and the future incorporation of potassium in the nutrient use regimen to follow changes in the very existence of such nutrient sources and also in the subsequent improvements in soil health and productivity. The overall objective of the study can be comprehended as achieving resource optimisation to reduce waste and increase efficiency aligned with SDG 8.2.