Theme: Agriculture | Why India must rethink its fertiliser and farming policies

In this episode of the State of the Economy Podcast, businessline’s Subramani Mancombu speaks to Maninder Singh Nayyar, Founder and CEO, CEF Group about the urgent issue of soil degradation in India and its far-reaching economic, environmental, and health impacts. 

Nayyar traces the roots of this degradation to the Green Revolution and excessive use of chemical fertilisers and pesticides. He explains how this has created a vicious cycle of deteriorating soil health, rising input costs, and declining yields, pushing farmers into debt. The alarming decline in soil organic carbon—from 2–3% to just 0.6–0.9%—could render Indian soil unfit for agriculture within 10–15 years. 

He goes on to talk about the need for a middle ground between chemical and organic farming through the promotion of “safe” or “health” food categories, revised soil quality ratings, and better market linkages for naturally grown produce. He advocates for a new pricing and certification system, practical standards, and incentives such as dedicated marketplaces and integration with delivery platforms. 

The episode also explores innovative approaches like converting agricultural residue into organic manure, reducing dependence on chemical imports, and tackling issues like stubble burning. Nayyar calls for a complete overhaul of outdated policies like the 1985 Fertiliser Control Order and stringent regulation of organic manure production. 

This comprehensive discussion highlights the urgent need for sustainable, scalable reforms to preserve India’s soil health and secure its agricultural future.