From import dependence to self-reliance: India’s fertilizer crisis as a ‘Make in India’ turning point

India’s agricultural success has long been supported by an extensive fertilizer ecosystem — but beneath this strength lies a structural vulnerability: a high dependence on imports. Today, global geopolitical disruptions have exposed this fragility, triggering supply shortages, price spikes, and policy stress. Yet, within this crisis lies a powerful opportunity — a decisive push toward “Make in India” fertilizers and a long-overdue reset in crop nutrition practices. India imports a substantial share of its fertilizer requirements, particularly in key bulk categories. Roughly 90–100 per cent of potash (MOP) is imported, as India lacks domestic reserves. For phosphatic fertilizers, import dependence…