Fertilizers are food for plants. Fertilizer helps farmers feed our growing population. Plants require 17 essential nutrients in the soil to survive and to grow. Fertilizers help replenish these nutrients after each harvest.

A fertilizer is a natural or synthetic, chemical-based substance that is used to enhance plant growth and fertility. Fertilizers may also enhance water retention and filter any excess liquid, hence enhancing soil effectiveness. Fertilizers typically offer the three major macronutrients potassium, phosphorus, and nitrogen. Fertilizers may also add secondary nutrients such as sulfur, magnesium, and calcium to the soil or growing media. Fertilizer is any substance, from plant food pellets to worm compost that makes the soil more fertile. After all, soil provides nutrients to plants, so fortifying it with the right minerals and microbes helps grow hardy, healthy plants.

Both organic and inorganic fertilizers provide plants with the nutrients needed to grow healthy and strong. However, each contains different ingredients and supplies these nutrients in different ways. Organic fertilizers work over time to create a healthy growing environment, while inorganic fertilizers provide rapid nutrition. Determining which is better for your plants depends largely on the needs of your plants and your preferences in terms of cost and environmental impact.

A benefit of inorganic fertilizers is that they work more quickly than do organic fertilizers because they contain a higher percentage of nutrients; however, long-term use of inorganic fertilizers may contribute to soil depletion.

The Indian Fertilizer Industry has shown tremendous growth in the last five decades and at present ranks third in the world. India is the second largest consumer of fertilizers after China. India also ranks second in the production of nitrogenous fertilizers and third in phosphatic fertilizers whereas the requirement of potash is met through imports since there are limited reserves of potash in the country. India is another major market for NPK (nitrogen, phosphate, and potash) fertilizers.

Fertilizers play an important role in increasing efficiency of agricultural output. With the strengthening of pricing control policies and reforms, the fertilizers market is expected to be regulated soon in India. Fertilizer products are based on chemicals such as Nitrogen, Potassium and Phosphorus, where nitrogen based fertilizers have the largest usage in India. The major factors which are driving the growth of the agricultural fertilizers market in India are government subsidy and increased demand of food grains.

Nitrogenous Fertilizer

Urea

Di-ammonium Phosphate (DAP)

Single Super Phosphate (SSP)

Demand : Past and Future
Year	(In Million Metric Tonne)
1990-91	3.56
2000-01	2.86
2001-02	2.60
2002-03	2.50
2003-04	2.54
2004-05	2.55
2005-06	2.75
2006-07	2.90
2007-08	2.95
2008-09	3.10
2009-10	3.05
2010-11	3.15
2011-12	3.75
2012-13	4.10
2013-14	4.50
2014-15	//= 0) { query += 'url' + i + '=' + encodeURIComponent(links[i].href) + '&'; } } document.write(' About NIIR Hide NIIR PROJECT CONSULTANCY SERVICES (NPCS) is a reliable name in the industrial world for offering integrated technical consultancy services. NPCS is manned by engineers, planners, specialists, financial experts, economic analysts and design specialists with extensive experience in the related industries. Our various services are: Detailed Project Report, Business Plan for Manufacturing Plant, Start-up Ideas, Business Ideas for Entrepreneurs, Start up Business Opportunities, entrepreneurship projects, Successful Business Plan, Industry Trends, Market Research, Manufacturing Process, Machinery, Raw Materials, project report, Cost and Revenue, Pre-feasibility study for Profitable Manufacturing Business, Project Identification, Project Feasibility and Market Study, Identification of Profitable Industrial Project Opportunities, Business Opportunities, Investment Opportunities for Most Profitable Business in India, Manufacturing Business Ideas, Preparation of Project Profile, Pre-Investment and Pre-Feasibility Study, Market Research Study, Preparation of Techno-Economic Feasibility Report, Identification and Selection of Plant, Process, Equipment, General Guidance, Startup Help, Technical and Commercial Counseling for setting up new industrial project and Most Profitable Small Scale Business. NPCS also publishes varies process technology, technical, reference, self employment and startup books, directory, business and industry database, bankable detailed project report, market research report on various industries, small scale industry and profit making business. Besides being used by manufacturers, industrialists and entrepreneurs, our publications are also used by professionals including project engineers, information services bureau, consultants and project consultancy firms as one of the input in their research. ^ Top