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Fertiliser Subsidy Rise and Low Nutrient-Use Efficiency in India

17 August 20261 min read
AGRICULTURE & RURALFertiliser SubsidyRise and LowNutrient-UseEfficiency in India17 August 2026safalsetu.com

Why in the news

Subsidy outgo on fertilisers is going up, yet most applied nutrients never reach the crop.

Key facts

  • Uptake: only about 40% of applied nutrients are absorbed.
  • Trend: fertiliser subsidy spending is rising.
  • Concept: Nutrient-Use Efficiency (NUE), the share of nutrients the crop actually uses.

Concerns

  • Groundwater contamination.
  • Air pollution.
  • Nutrient wastage.
  • A heavier subsidy burden.

Exam angle

  • Term to know: NUE.
  • Rough crop absorption figure: 40%.
  • Link: efficiency gains lower pollution and subsidy cost together.

Test yourself

1. About what share of applied nutrients do crops absorb in India, according to the fertiliser subsidy notes?

Only around 40% is absorbed.

2. Which term denotes how much of the applied nutrients a crop actually uses?

The issue calls for better Nutrient-Use Efficiency (NUE).

3. Which of these is named as a consequence of unused fertiliser nutrients?

Groundwater contamination is one listed effect.

This topic is part of Daily Current Affairs 15 August 2026 (15 topics).

All topics of the dayDay quizAugust 2026

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