Balanced Use of Fertilizers: A Key Enabler of Sustainable Farming

• Balanced fertilization = applying all essential macro- and micro-nutrients in correct proportion, quantity, timing, and method, calibrated to crop, soil fertility, and climate.
• Goal: align productivity, soil health, and environmental responsibility — directly mapped to SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) and SDG 15 (Life on Land).
• Crucial for UPSC because it intersects GS-III agriculture (subsidies, food security), environment (soil degradation, eutrophication), and economy (urea import bill, fiscal subsidy burden ~₹1.7 lakh cr).