Context: Recently,  Department of Fertilisers is ready with an Action Plan to make India Aatmanirbhar in Rock Phosphate, the key raw material of DAP and NPK Fertilizers.
What are Phosphatic Fertilizers?

• Phosphorus is the eleventh most abundant element on the earth. Commercial phosphate fertilizers are manufactured using phosphate rock.
• Approximately two-thirds of the world’s phosphate resources are derived from sedimentary and marine phosphate rock deposits.
• Ground rock phosphate has been used as a source of phosphorous for soils in the past.
• However, due to the low concentration of phosphorous in this native material, high transportation costs, and small crop responses, the usage of rock phosphate has reduced considerably in agriculture.
• On the other hand, the usage of phosphorous based fertilizers has grown significantly.

Which are the most common Ph fertilizers?

• The most commonly used phosphatic fertilizers are Diammonium Phosphate (DAP), Monoammonium Phosphate (MAP), NPKs, and SSP.
• DAP is the world’s most widely used phosphorus fertilizer. It is popular due to its relatively high nutrient content and its excellent physical properties.
• DAP is an excellent source of phosphorus (P) and nitrogen (N) for plant nutrition.
• It provides the correct proportion of phosphorous and nitrogen for the farming of grains such as wheat, barley, fruits, and vegetables.
• NPKs, also called compound fertilizers, are fertilizers that contain all three nutrients, nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium in different proportions.

Why need Phosphorus?

• Phosphorus is an essential nutrient required for plant growth. It helps in root development, plant maturation, and seed development.
• If soils are deficient in phosphorus, food production becomes restricted, unless the nutrient is added in the form of fertilizers.
• Hence, to increase food production, an adequate amount of phosphorus is required.
• Along with nitrogen and potassium, phosphorus is one of the most important elements for plant life.
• Soil gets depleted of phosphorus due to several reasons including being washed away by rain. Therefore, modern farming is reliant on the use of phosphorus-based fertilizers.

Consumption in India

• Rock Phosphate is the key raw material for DAP and NPK fertilisers and India is 90% dependent on imports.
• Volatility in international prices affects the domestic prices of fertilisers and hinders the progress and development of the agriculture sector in the country.