समाचार में क्यों
- The national fertilizer subsidy bill faces fiscal strain despite falling global urea prices due to steep price spikes in imported Di-Ammonium Phosphate (DAP) and Muriate of Potash (MOP).
मुख्य शब्द
Nutrient Based Subsidy (NBS)
A subsidy scheme where government provides a fixed amount of subsidy annually on each grade of subsidized Phosphatic and Potassic (P&K) fertilizers based on nutrient content.
Muriate of Potash (MOP)
A potassium-rich agricultural fertilizer composed primarily of potassium chloride, almost entirely imported by India.
What is the Fertilizer Subsidy Framework?
- Urea is covered under a statutory price control system (New Urea Policy) where the Centre fixes the Maximum Retail Price (MRP) and reimburses manufacturing/import cost differences.
- Phosphatic and Potassic (P&K) fertilizers, including DAP and MOP, are governed by the Nutrient Based Subsidy (NBS) regime introduced in 2010, where a fixed annual subsidy per kg of nutrient (N, P, K, S) is announced while MRPs are deregulated.
Key Drivers of Subsidy Strain
- Global urea prices have plunged, lowering raw domestic import bills for nitrogenous fertilizers.
- Surging international spot prices for raw rock phosphate, phosphoric acid (DAP inputs), and potassium chloride (MOP) have completely offset urea savings, increasing total exchequer outflow under NBS.
Why it matters
- Highlights India's heavy import reliance for potassic (100% imported) and phosphatic raw materials, exposing agricultural fiscal management to global supply chain disruptions.
- Fiscal imbalance threatens the Union budget target for fertilizer subsidies in FY27, impacting rural expenditure flexibility.
प्रीलिम्स तथ्य
- India imports nearly 100% of its Muriate of Potash (MOP) requirements.
- Under NBS, MRP of non-urea fertilizers is decided by fertilizer companies, whereas Urea MRP is statutorily fixed by government.
मेंस चर्चा
- Evaluate the fiscal burden of chemical fertilizer subsidies on government finance and discuss measures to promote balanced plant nutrition.
स्रोत: LiveMint
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