As geopolitical tensions escalate fertilizer supply disruptions worldwide, innovative high Nutrient Use Efficiency (NUE) fertilizers have emerged as a game-changer for ensuring food security. These advanced solutions enable farmers to maintain balanced crop nutrition while slashing the use of bulk NPK and water-soluble fertilizers by 25 per cent to 50 per cent, conserving precious resources and mitigating shortages driven by the ongoing Middle East war and other conflicts.

Traditional NPK fertilizers, critical for nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) supply, face acute global shortages. Production halts, export bans, shortages of basic raw materials such as ammonia and sulphur, and skyrocketing prices threaten yields for staple crops like wheat, rice, and maize, risking food inflation and hunger for billions. High NUE fertilizers counter this crisis by delivering nutrients more efficiently to plants, minimizing losses from leaching, volatilization, or runoff—common issues with conventional products that waste up to 50-70 per cent of applied fertilizers.

Industry experts believe that the transition toward high-efficiency nutrient technologies could redefine the future of Indian agriculture by creating a more resilient and self-sustaining farming ecosystem. As climate variability, supply chain instability, and input cost inflation continue to challenge conventional agricultural models, innovative NUE solutions offer farmers a reliable alternative that combines productivity with sustainability. The ability to maximize nutrient uptake while minimizing wastage is becoming increasingly critical for safeguarding long-term agricultural output.

Growing adoption

The growing adoption of advanced fertilizer technologies also supports the government’s broader objectives of reducing subsidy burdens and promoting environmentally responsible farming practices. By requiring lower application volumes and improving nutrient delivery efficiency, these solutions can significantly reduce excessive fertilizer usage that often leads to soil degradation and water contamination. As per the Ministry of Jal Shakti, more than 50 per cent of the districts in the country have exceeded permissible limits of groundwater nitrate, which is a huge public health risk. India is also the second-largest emitter of nitrous oxide, a greenhouse gas largely emitted from the use of nitrogen-based fertilizers, and it stays in the environment for 120 years with 300 times the global warming potential of carbon dioxide. Thus, a shift towards alternative high NUE formulations not only supports healthier ecosystems but also contributes to building a more balanced and regenerative agricultural economy for future generations.

Increased collaboration and communication with states and KVKs, faster regulatory approvals targeting sustainability and self-reliance, farmer education initiatives and extension work, and continued investment in research and innovation will play a vital role in scaling these technologies nationwide. As India aims to strengthen food security while maintaining its position as a major agricultural producer, advanced nutrient management solutions are poised to become a cornerstone of the country’s next phase of agricultural transformation.

Ensuring better availability

Doing more with less is now a reality through our SRT and ORT platforms, including water-dispersible granules and water-disintegrable granules. These technologies use less energy to produce more, give higher yields, deliver higher returns to farmers, improve soil health, enhance biofortification and quality of food, manage food inflation, and prevent shortages—empowering farmers to not just survive but thrive amid global disruptions. Minimising bulk fertilizers while utilising the SRT and ORT solutions will not only produce more food and protect our waterways long term, but also ensure bulk fertilizer availability in the following rabi season amid the ongoing West Asia conflict.”

To ensure that India continues to produce enough food not just for itself, but also for exports and increasing total agricultural GDP, adoption of balanced nutrition through high NUE fertilizers is not just an option, but essential amidst this crisis. Not only will these solutions enhance farm productivity, farmer income, and food and nutrition security, but they are also available in India and will allow for reduced dependence on imports. The solutions are not dependent on imported ammonia, phosphorus, and potash. Atmanirbharta lies at the core of the SRT and ORT platform.

The key benefits include enhanced yields from 10 per cent to 40 per cent, while reducing the use of traditional bulk or water-soluble fertilizers by 25-50 per cent, reduced subsidy spends, improved soil microbial health, improvement in groundwater health and quality, improved long-term public health, protection of waterways from eutrophication, and reduced greenhouse gas emissions. These benefits help preserve NPK stockpiles for sustainable agriculture, prevent food crises, and ensure long-term food and nutrition security.

The author is Executive Director, SML Limited and SUMIL

Published on May 23, 2026