Trends and Patterns in Fertilizer Consumption: A Case Study

Abstract

Agriculture occupies most important role in Indian society and its economy as well. Since Independence, India‟s food grain production has registered an over a five-fold increase, to around 273 million tonnes in 2016-17 (Kulkarni, 2017). The development of agricultural sector is felt important in India which has to feed billions of people, at least three times a day. Agriculture in India is the means of livelihood of almost two thirds of the work force in the country. During 1950s declining agriculture growth in India compelled to embark upon many development strategies to improve agriculture growth. The country has largely attained self-sufficiency as it transformed itself from a status of importers to an exporter over the past 70 years. The adoption of Green Revolution in the 1960s gave a major impetus to food grain production in the country, which then had largely depended on imports to feed the demand. In achieving targeted food production, introduction of the new agricultural strategy, which propagate the use of critical inputs like high yielding variety; fertilizers, manures etc. Further experiences shows that increased use of fertilizers in a proper proportion increases agricultural productivity and production. Thus, the use of chemical fertilizers has become an integral part of the Indian agriculture from the view point of improving yield. the annual consumption of fertilizers, in nutrient terms International Journal of Current Microbiology and Applied Sciences ISSN: 2319-7706 Volume 7 Number 04 (2018) Journal homepage: http://www.ijcmas.com